Impact of socioeconomic and geographical factors on clinical care of biliary atresia patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a critical pediatric condition requiring timely intervention through Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE), and up to two-thirds of patients need liver transplantation (LT). The outcomes for BA patients still need improvement in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to assess the socioeconomic and geographical profile of BA patients in India, focusing on their compliance with follow-up care, treatment-seeking behaviour, and acceptability of LT in addition, it provides recommendations to overcome identified challenges.

Exploring the role of pomalidomide in androgen-dependent prostate cancer: a computational analysis.

Prostate cancer (PC) is among the most prevalent cancers in males. It is the leading cause of death in men, in around 48 out of 185 countries. Increased androgen receptor (AR) activity is the key factor contributing to the development or progression of newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer.

Ion Effects on Terahertz Spectra of Microsolvated Clusters.

Water clusters containing Na and Cl ions play a key role in the atmospheric chemistry of sea salt aerosols. While Na is clearly buried deep inside, Cl appears to be a chameleon since evidence for both surface-localized and interior solvation states are reported. Thus, disclosing the preferred location of Cl within clusters remains challenging.

Combination Low-Dose Pilocarpine/Diclofenac Sodium and Pilocarpine Alone for Presbyopia: Results of a Randomized Phase 2b Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% and 0.4% pilocarpine HCl (CSF-1) for the treatment of presbyopia and to determine the contributions of pilocarpine HCl and diclofenac sodium on the efficacy of fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulations.

Formulation development of dual-compartment topical inserts combining tenofovir alafenamide and elvitegravir for flexible on-demand HIV prevention.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a prominent approach for the prevention of HIV infections. While the latest advances have resulted in effective oral and injectable product options, there are still gaps in on-demand, event-driven, topical products for HIV prevention that are safe and effective. Here we describe the formulation development of a dual-compartment topical insert containing tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and elvitegravir (EVG) that may be administered when needed, vaginally or rectally, pre- or post-coitus, for flexible HIV prophylaxis.

Feasibility and Safety of Endovascular Interventions via Percutaneous Access to the Axillary Artery.

Background: Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease requires safe and reliable arterial access. This study evaluates the feasibility and safety of percutaneous axillary artery access for endovascular therapy. A variety of anatomic and logistic obstacles can be overcome with upper extremity access.

Proposed clinical algorithm for hematinic bhasmas selection for Ayurvedic pediatric care.

Ayurveda has unique and relevant methods in nosology, symptomatology, and drug selection. These methods need a novel and effective way of presentation for convenient comprehension and implementation. 'Clinical algorithms' is one such way, wherein a large amount of data is simplified, conceptual intricacies abstracted, and clinical application made easier.

The interaction of methotrexate with the human C5a and its potential therapeutic implications.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite drug that mimics folate and inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase, resulting in the impairment of malignant growth in actively proliferating tissues. MTX is approved by the FDA for primarily treating non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphoblastic leukemia, and osteosarcoma. In addition, MTX is also prescribed as a preferred anti-rheumatic medication for the management of rheumatoid arthritis, including psoriasis, indicating that MTX has a multipronged mechanism of action.

Bi-metallic electrochemical deposition on 3D pyrolytic carbon architectures for potential application in hydrogen evolution reaction.

3D printing has emerged as a highly efficient process for fabricating electrodes in hydrogen evolution through water splitting, whereas metals are the most popular choice of materials in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) due to their catalytic activity. However, current 3D printing solutions face challenges, including high cost, low surface area, and sub-optimal performance. In this work, we introduce metal-deposited 3D printed pyrolytic carbon (PyC) as a facile and cost-effective HER electrode.

Effect of Soil-pH, temperature and moisture content on sorption dynamics of metformin and erythromycin.

The rising soil-groundwater quality issues due to pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination have spurred significant concern. To understand the sorption characteristics of metformin (MTN) and erythromycin (ETM) in sandy and sandy loam soils with varying organic matter and particle composition, sorption kinetics (single and competitive), isotherms, and thermodynamics were studied. The effects of pH and soil moisture content (SMC) were also investigated at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Synergistic role of Mycobacterium indicus pranii and human beta Defensin-2 as adjunctive therapy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Host-directed therapies (HDT) via modulation of specific host responses like inflammation can limit mycobacterial infection. HDTs could be included in current TB therapy as an adjunct to increase bacterial clearance and limit tissue damage to control spread. Individually, Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) are promising therapies for tuberculosis (TB).

Investigating Sortase A inhibitory potential of herbal compounds using integrated computational and biochemical approaches.

Multi-drug resistance in bacteria is emerging as a major global health challenge, causing substantial harm in terms of mortality, morbidity, and financial strain on healthcare systems. These bacteria are constantly acquiring new virulence factors and drug-resistance mechanisms, which highlights the critical need for innovative antimicrobial medicines and identification of new therapeutic targets, such as Sortase A (EfSrtA). EfSrtA, a transpeptidase significant for the adhesion and virulence of Enterococcus faecalis (E.

Impact of TearCare on Reading Speed in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of TearCare (TC) treatment on clinical, quality of life, and functional visual outcome metrics in patients with dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland disease (MGD).

Methods: This is a prospective, single-center clinical trial. Adults with MGD and a DED diagnosis and tear break-up time (TBUT) <10 seconds were included.

Characterization of Swarna Bhasma and Swarnaprash and Determination of Antimicrobial Properties Against Gut-Pathobiont and Symbiont.

Ayurveda has a long-standing tradition of healthcare in Southeast Asia. Swarnaprash, a classical Ayurveda preparation, is commonly given as the pre-lacteal feed to neonates to prevent labor-related complications and infections. It comprises incinerated gold particles (InAuP/Swarna Bhasma), honey (Madhu), and clarified butter oil (CBO/Cow Ghrita).

Identification and characterization of sulphotransferase (SOT) genes for tolerance against drought and heat in wheat and six related species.

Background: Sulphotransferase (SOT) enzyme (encoded by a conserved family of SOT genes) is involved in sulphonation of a variety of compounds, through transfer of a sulphuryl moiety from 3'phosphoadenosine- 5'phosphosulphate (PAPS) to a variety of secondary metabolites. The PAPS itself is derived from 3'adenosine-5'phosphosulphate (APS) that is formed after uptake of sulphate ions from the soil. The process provides tolerance against abiotic stresses like drought and heat in plants.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein: Reactivity against Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants.

The cross-species transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection has necessitated development of specific reagents for detecting infection in various animal species. The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2, which is involved in viral entry, is a highly immunogenic protein. To develop assays targeting this protein, we generated eight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the S1 and seven against the S1/S2 protein (ectodomain) of SARS CoV-2.

Tolerability of Current Treatments for Dry Eye Disease: A Review of Approved and Investigational Therapies.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common, multifactorial ocular disease impacting 5% to 20% of people in Western countries and 45% to 70% in Asian countries. Despite the prevalence of DED and the number of treatment approaches available, signs and symptoms of the disease continue to limit the quality of life for many patients. Standard over-the-counter treatment approaches and behavior/environmental modifications may help some cases but more persistent forms often require pharmacological interventions.

Emerging Role of Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to Monitor Response to Kinase Inhibitors in Cancer.

Inhibitors of kinases involved in signaling and other intracellular pathways, have revolutionized cancer treatment by providing highly targeted and effective therapies. However, timely monitoring treatment response remains a considerable challenge since conventional methods such as assessing changes in tumor volume do not adequately capture early responses or resistance development, due to the predominantly cytostatic rather than cytotoxic effect of kinase inhibitors. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that can provide insights into cellular metabolism by detecting changes in metabolite concentrations.