Microplastics influencing aquatic environment and human health: A review of source, determination, distribution, removal, degradation, management strategy and future perspective.

Microplastics (MPs) are produced from various primary and secondary sources and pose multifaceted environmental problems. They are of non-biodegradable nature and may stay in aquatic environments for a long time period. The present review has covered novel aspects pertaining to MPs that were not covered in earlier studies.

High performance humidity sensor based on a graphene oxide-chitosan composite.

In this study, we have proposed an advanced humidity sensor based on a composite of chitosan (CS) and graphene oxide (GO), prepared by the drop casting method. Graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-CS) films with varying volumetric ratios, along with pure GO and CS films, were prepared and extensively characterized using XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM, XPS, and water contact angle to study their structural and morphological properties. Comparative analysis of humidity sensing parameters of all prepared films revealed that the film with a volumetric ratio of 4 : 1 (GOCS-2) performs best among all of them, which is attributed to the synergistic interaction between GO and CS.

Development of a positive pressure-based instrumentation for efficient solid phase extraction.

Unlabelled: Solid phase extraction technique is a widely used sample preparation technique for the extraction of components from complex food matrices. However, there are several parameters in SPE that leads to low recovery, and reproducibility, insufficiently clean extracts and evaporation of volatile compounds. These drawbacks can be addressed through the use of innovative techniques and instrumentation that offers improved efficiency and accuracy for isolation of active constituents from food and beverage samples.

Exploring the role of the JEEViKA swasthya mitra helpdesk in improving healthcare access: a qualitative study in tertiary healthcare facilities in Bihar, India.

Background: Rural populations in Bihar, India, face significant healthcare access challenges due to geographical, infrastructural, and financial barriers. The Swasthya Mitra program, initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society in collaboration with local and international partners, aims to mitigate these challenges by employing trained community members to navigate patients through the healthcare system.

Methods: This qualitative study employed in-depth interview and thematic analysis to evaluate the Swasthya Mitra program in the Bhagalpur and Jamui districts in Bihar, India.

Prevalence of dengue and leptospirosis coinfection and associated mortality rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dengue and leptospirosis are prominent vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions, sharing overlapping geographic distribution and clinical presentations, which complicates diagnosis and management. Co-infection of these pathogens places additional strain on healthcare resources in endemic areas. This study aims to systematically estimate the prevalence and mortality rates of dengue and leptospirosis co-infections and assess their clinical implications.

Iron Deficiency and Renal Phosphate Handling: The Role of Maximal Tubular Reabsorption of Phosphate Normalized to Glomerular Filtration Rate (TmP/GFR) in Proximal Tubular Dysfunction.

Background And Aim: Phosphate dysregulation is often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and recent studies suggest that it may also be present in non-CKD patients with systemic conditions including iron deficiency anemia. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency parameters (total iron-binding capacity {TIBC}, hemoglobin, and serum ferritin) and markers of proximal tubular dysfunction (the maximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate normalized to glomerular filtration rate {TmP/GFR} and tubular reabsorption of phosphate {TRP}) in non-CKD patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Methods: This was a hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient department and/or inpatient wards of the Department of Internal Medicine, Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital associated with Moti Lal Nehru (MLN) Medical College, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, between July 2023 and August 2024.

Physics-Based Machine Learning to Predict Hydration Free Energies for Small Molecules with a Minimal Number of Descriptors: Interpretable and Accurate.

Hydration free energy (HFE) of molecules is a fundamental property having importance throughout chemistry and biology. Calculation of the HFE can be challenging and expensive with classical molecular dynamics simulation-based approaches. Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly being used to predict HFE.

Yoga: As a Transformative Approach to Addressing Male Infertility and Enhancing Reproductive Health in Men: A Narrative Review.

Infertility presents multifaceted challenges that encompass both physical and emotional burdens. Yoga, as a comprehensive system of mind-body medicine, serves as an effective intervention for managing male factor infertility, a complex lifestyle disorder with significant psychosomatic elements. This review explores the transformative role of yoga in addressing both the emotional and physical dimensions of infertility.

Biparametric magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic tool for differentiating RCC and renal pseudotumor in CKD patients.

Introduction: Pseudotumors are benign lesions which may mimic like a malignant tumor on conventional imaging. They are formed in kidneys which are scarred and deformed by chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, trauma or infarction. There is a diagnostic dilemma in most of the cases as to differentiate RCC and pseudotumors.

A comparative analysis of image harmonization techniques in mitigating differences in CT acquisition and reconstruction.

Objective: The study aims to systematically characterize the effect of CT parameter variations on images and lung radiomic and deep features, and to evaluate the ability of different image harmonization methods to mitigate the observed variations.

Approach: A retrospective in-house sinogram dataset of 100 low-dose chest CT scans was reconstructed by varying radiation dose (100%, 25%, 10%) and reconstruction kernels (smooth, medium, sharp). A set of image processing, convolutional neural network (CNNs), and generative adversarial network-based (GANs) methods were trained to harmonize all image conditions to a reference condition (100% dose, medium kernel).

Unraveling the complexity: Case reports of drug-induced hemolytic anemia due to ceftriaxone.

Drug-induced hemolytic anemia (DIHA) is a rare but significant condition characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) triggered by certain medications. Ceftriaxone, a commonly used antibiotic, has been linked to DIHA, presenting diagnostic challenges due to its diverse clinical manifestations. This study examines three cases of DIHA caused by ceftriaxone therapy at our center.

Dynamics of pollution and trophic status in selected sub-tropical surface water bodies in Haridwar district, India.

This study provides a detailed approach to evaluating water quality in the Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India, by integrating physicochemical and microbiological investigations. It employs multivariate analysis and applies water quality and trophic state indices to evaluate the current state of the water and identify potential sources of contamination. The results from the correlation matrix highlight the dynamic interactions between different water quality parameters.

Lipid droplet targeting of the lipase co-activator ABHD5 and the fatty liver disease-causing variant PNPLA3 I148M is required to promote liver steatosis.

The storage and release of triacylglycerol (TAG) in lipid droplets (LDs) is regulated by dynamic protein interactions. α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 5 (ABHD5; also known as CGI-58) is a membrane/LD bound protein that functions as a co-activator of Patatin Like Phospholipase Domain Containing 2 (PNPLA2; also known as Adipose triglyceride lipase, ATGL) the rate-limiting enzyme for TAG hydrolysis. The dysregulation of TAG hydrolysis is involved in various metabolic diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Draft genome sequence of DS1, a strain for high-acidity vinegar fermentation.

The draft genome sequence of DS1 was isolated for high-acidity vinegar fermentation. The DS1 draft genome has a length of 8,793,442 bp, with 44.27% GC content, 3,053 proteins, 3,169 genes, and 15 genes that play an important role in acetic acid production.

Self-Healing Superhydrophobic Coatings with Multiphase Repellence Property.

Developing versatile, scalable, and durable coatings that repel various matters in different service environments is of great importance for engineered materials applications but remains highly challenging. Here, the mesoporous silica microspheres (HMS) fabricated by the hard template method were utilized as micro-nanocontainers to encapsulate the hydrophobic agent of perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (F13) and the corrosion inhibitor of benzotriazole (BTA), forming the functional microsphere of F-HMS(BTA). Moreover, the synthesized organosilane-modified silica sol adhesive (SMP) and F-HMS(BTA) were further employed as the binder and functional filler to construct a superhydrophobic self-healing coating of SMP@F-HMS(BTA) on various engineering metals through scalable spraying.

Microbial amidases: Characterization, advances and biotechnological applications.

The amidases (EC 3.5.1.

Computational Tool for Determining Local Dielectric Constants in Heterogeneous Nanoscale Systems from Molecular Dynamics Trajectories.

In this work, we describe a computational tool designed to determine the local dielectric constants (ε) of charge-neutral heterogeneous systems by analyzing dipole moment fluctuations from molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories. Unlike conventional methods, our tool can calculate dielectric constants for dynamically evolving selections of molecules within a defined region of space, rather than for fixed sets of molecules. We validated our approach by computing the dielectric constants of TIP3P water nanospheres, achieving results consistent with literature values for bulk water.

ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma: A study of six cases from an oncopathology center in North India.

ALK-positive large B-cell lymphoma (ALK+ LBCL) is a rare neoplasm with an aggressive course and poor therapeutic response to the standard R-CHOP regimen. Owing to its negativity for usual B- and T-cell markers and immunopositivity for epithelial markers, it can be easily misdiagnosed if it is not contemplated. To study the clinicopathological parameters of cases of ALK+ LBCL diagnosed at our institution.

Parameatal based flip flap urethroplasty as a salvage procedure for management of graft fibrosis following first stage of staged free graft hypospadias repair.

Introduction: Graft fibrosis following the first stage of a free graft staged hypospadias repair is a difficult scenario where the management has traditionally been to excise the graft and replace it with a new graft. However, still the risk of recurrent fibrosis remains making it difficult to proceed to the second stage and tubularising a fibrosed graft practically ensures a breakdown. Herein, we present our way of using parameatal based flip flap urethroplasty as a salvage procedure in this situation.

Management of intracranial meningioma: Outcome analysis and clinico radiological profile of 172 patients.

Background: Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor. This single-center study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological, radiological profile, and outcomes of patients with intracranial meningiomas in terms of functional status, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: Patients of intracranial meningioma treated between January 01, 2010, and December 31, 2019, at the Department of Neurosurgery, King George's Medical University, India, were included in this study.

Comparative analysis of medical device adverse event reporting forms for patients and industries across various countries, and the introduction of a unified generic form for harmonization.

Introduction: This comparative study examines the complexities of adverse event reporting forms for medical devices across various nations. Despite rigorous clinical trials and surveillance techniques, variations persist in processes and data elements used to report adverse events. The study highlights the importance of standardizing adverse event reporting for medical devices and suggests a comprehensive 'Generic Adverse Event Reporting Form' to accurately determine causality.

Nanoencapsulated Essential Oils for Post-Harvest Preservation of Stored Cereals: A Review.

Cereal grains are frequently attacked by microorganisms and insects during storage and processing, which negatively affects their quality, safety, and market value. Therefore, protecting stored grains from microbial contamination is crucial for food industries, farmers, public health associations, and environmental agencies. Due to the negative impact of synthetic gray chemicals, antimicrobial plant-based essential oils (EOs) can serve as alternative, safer, environmentally friendly preservatives that can prolong the shelf life of cereals.

A Vulnerable Subtype of Dopaminergic Neurons Drives Early Motor Deficits in Parkinson's Disease.

In Parkinson's disease, dopaminergic neurons (DANs) in the midbrain gradually degenerate, with ventral substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) DANs exhibiting greater vulnerability. However, it remains unclear whether specific molecular subtypes of ventral SNc DANs are more susceptible to degeneration in PD, and if they contribute to the early motor symptoms associated with the disease. We identified a subtype of + DANs, +, which are selectively lost earlier than other DANs, and with a time course that aligns with the development of motor symptoms in MitoPark mice.