Silicosis prevalence and related issues in India: a scoping review.

Background: Silicosis remains a major occupational health challenge in India. This review systematically examines the prevalence, risk factors, regional differences, and diagnostic tools specific to India's high-risk industries. Additionally, it assesses policy gaps and offers insights from diverse clinical and qualitative studies, aiming to inform targeted public health interventions and support the development of effective occupational health policies.

Risk of stroke associated with proton pump inhibitor use among individuals with and without pre-existing cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for managing gastroesophageal disorders but concerns about their potential association with increased stroke risk have emerged, especially among patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the risk of stroke associated with PPI use, stratified by the presence or absence of pre-existing CVD.

Methods: This review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and included studies up to March 2024 from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

Visual hermeneutics as a tool to introduce empathy and core physician attributes in doctor-patient relationship for first-year medical undergraduate students.

Background: The doctor-patient relationship is essential for effective patient care, yet medical education often neglects to nurture the quality such as empathy during the initial years of training. Doctor-patient relationship is one of the modules taught in first year as part of mandatory AETCOM (Attitude, Ethics, and Communication) course in the undergraduate Indian medical curriculum. Hermeneutics, a method of interpretation, can play a vital role in introducing observational and reflective thinking skills.

Cannabis consumption and risk of asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cannabis is the third most widely used psychoactive substance globally, and its consumption has been increasing, particularly with the growing trend of legalization for medicinal and recreational use. Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of cannabis on respiratory health, specifically the risk of asthma, a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to consolidate research on the association between cannabis use and the risk of asthma.

Assessment of out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on essential medicines for acute and chronic illness: a comparative study across regional and socioeconomic groups in India.

Background: Substantial out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures push a large portion of the population below the poverty line, especially those residing in rural areas having low incomes. Individuals from economically disadvantaged states in India incur higher healthcare costs for hospitalization in public health centers than do those from more developed states. Economically poorer households in states such as Bihar and Odisha face significantly higher OOP expenditures for hospitalization in public health centers than do those in economically developed states such as Tamil Nadu.

Trends and determinants of maternal health services utilization in India from 2015 to 2021.

Continuum of care (CoC) in maternal health services refers to a pathway spanning from pregnancy and childbirth to post-pregnancy, covering routine antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery (ID), and post-natal services (PNC). The current study aims to investigate the distribution, trends, dropouts, and determinants of maternal health services (ANC, ID, and PNC) utilization along the CoC pathway using NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 datasets from 2015 to 2021. The binary logistic regression examined the association between the continuum of maternal health services utilization and the predictor variables.

Revolutionizing load harmony in edge computing networks with probabilistic cellular automata and Markov decision processes.

In general, edge computing networks are based on a distributed computing environment and hence, present some difficulties to obtain an appropriate load balancing, especially under dynamic workload and limited resources. The conventional approaches of Load balancing like Round-Robin and Threshold-based load balancing fails in scalability and flexibility issues when applied to highly variable edge environments. To solve the problem of how to achieve steady-state load balance and provide dynamic adaption to edge networks, this paper proposes a new framework that using PCA and MDP.

Impact of choline choride and sugar natural deep eutectic solvents on structure and functionality of treebean (Parkia timoriana) seed protein.

This study explores the impact of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) on the structure and functionality of treebean (Parkia timoriana) seed protein, a novel approach to enhancing protein stability and functionality for sustainable bioprocessing. The research aims to evaluate the dynamic interactions between protein and choline chloride-sugar-based NADES, focusing on their effects on thermal properties, emulsification behaviour, and rheological characteristics. NADES were formulated using different sugars, and protein-NADES dispersions were analysed for their physicochemical and functional properties.

Unveiling microbial diversity in slightly and moderately magnesium deficient acidic soils.

Magnesium (Mg) an essential plant nutrient is widespread deficient in the acidic soils of Nilgiris of Tamil nadu, India. The vegetable yield and quality is especially affected due to deficiency of nutrients like Mg. This study investigates soil characteristics and bacterial diversity in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India, with respect to Mg deficiency.

Comparative study of degree, neighborhood and reverse degree based indices for drugs used in lung cancer treatment through QSPR analysis.

Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) modeling has emerged as a pivotal tool in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug design, offering a predictive framework for understanding the correlation between chemical structure and physicochemical properties. Topological indices are mathematical descriptors derived from the molecular graphs that capture structural features and connectivity, playing a crucial role in QSPR analysis by quantitatively relating chemical structures to their physicochemical properties and biological activities. Lung cancer is characterized by its aggressive nature and late-stage diagnosis, often limiting treatment options and significantly impacting patient survival rates.

Experimental and computational approach on the corrosion inhibition properties of two newly pyrazole derivatives on carbon steel in acid medium.

In the current investigation, the efficiency inhibition of two newly synthesized bi-pyrazole derivatives, namely 2,3-bis[(bis((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl) methyl) amino)] pyridine (Tetra-Pz-Ortho) and 1,4-bis[(bis((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl) methyl) amino)] benzene (Tetra-Pz-Para) for corrosion of carbon steel (C&S) in 1 M HCl medium was evaluated. A Comparative study of inhibitor effect of Tetra-Pz-Ortho and Tetra-Pz-Para was conducted first using weight loss method and EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) and PDP (Potentiodynamic Polarisation) techniques. Tetra-Pz-Ortho and Tetra-Pz-Para had a maximum inhibition efficacy of 97.

Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park.

Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particular focus was on Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal, India.

Microneedle patches: the next frontier in cardiovascular care.

Myocardial infarction is a condition where the heart muscle is damaged due to clogged coronary arteries. There are limited treatment options for treating myocardial infarction. Microneedle patches have recently become popular as a possibly viable therapy for myocardial.

Utilization of Chlorella vulgaris methyl ester blend with diethyl ether to mitigate emissions of an unaltered single cylinder ci engine.

The present work emphasizes the viability of methyl ester production, characterization, and utilization of third-generation biofuel from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. The presence of methyl oleate (CHO) in the Chlorella vulgaris methyl ester (CVME) algae signifies the existence of higher oxidation stability and prone to peroxidation. The single-stage transesterified CVME algae contains majorly (C-H) functional group trailed by (C = O), (C-O), (O-CH), (C-O-C) with the elemental compositions of 66.

Anticorrosion properties of ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide epoxy composite coating on the carbon steel for CCUS environment.

The adoption of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology is increasingly prevalent, driven by the global initiative to conserve energy and reduce emissions. Nevertheless, CCUS has the potential to induce corrosion in equipment, particularly in high-pressure environments containing carbon dioxide (CO). Therefore, anti-corrosion protection is necessary for the metal utilized for CO production and storage equipment.

Association of digital eye strain with central corneal thickness: a cross-sectional observational pilot study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate whether the digital eye strain (DES) was associated with the low central corneal thickness (CCT).

Methods: This observational cross-sectional pilot study was conducted from April 2023 to October 2023 at a tertiary eye care centre in North India, where CCT values were compared between subjects with DES and those without DES. Two hundred and eighty subjects (n = 280) aged 15-40 years with clear corneas and lenses were initially included in this study.

Neurotensin via Type I Receptor Modulates the Endotoxemia Induced Oxido-Inflammatory Stress on the Sympathetic Adrenomedullary System of Mice Regulating NF-κβ/Nor-Epinephrine Pathway.

The present study investigated the role of the neurotensin/NTS in the modulation of the lipopolysaccharide/LPS induced dysfunction of the sympatho-adrenal-medullary system/SAM using both the NTS receptor 1/NTSR agonist PD149163/PD and antagonist SR48692 /SR. Forty eight mice were maintained in eight groups; Group I/control, Groups II, III, IV, and VII received LPS for 5 days further Group III/IV/VII received PD low dose/PD, PD high dose /PD and SR for 28 days respectively. Group V/VI received similar only PD and PD dose respectively whereas Group VIII was exposed to only SR for 28 days.

Chemical shift assignments of DRB2 domains, a dsRNA binding protein in A. thaliana RNAi pathway.

In Arabidopsis thaliana, micro-RNA regulation is primarily controlled by DCL1, an RNase III enzyme, and its associated proteins. DCL1, together with DRB2, governs a specific group of miRNAs that induce the inhibition of target mRNA translation. DRB2 is a multi-domain protein containing two N-terminal dsRNA binding domains (dsRBD) separated by a linker, followed by an unstructured C-terminal tail.

Bone Tissue Engineering: From Biomaterials to Clinical Trials.

Bone tissue engineering is a promising field that aims to rebuild the bone tissue using biomaterials, cells, and signaling molecules. Materials like natural and synthetic polymers, inorganic materials, and composite materials are used to create scaffolds that mimic the hierarchical microstructure of bone. Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering by promoting tissue regeneration and modulating the immune response.

Melatonin modulation of the chronic dexamethasone-induced adrenal insufficiency.

Purpose: Chronic exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids/GCs, widely in use to treat many diseases, may compromise the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/HPA axis leading to a condition of adrenal insufficiency/AI. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the melatonin/MEL in amelioration of chronic dexamethasone (DEX)-induced AI.

Methods: Mice (Parkes Strain/Male/8 weeks old/30-33 g) were maintained in four groups (10 mice/group) for 30 days: Group 1/Control received intraperitoneal (i.

A scientometric analysis of highly cited papers in Indian spine research (1995-2024): navigating the impact.

Purpose: The spine research within India has seen significant advancement, yet detailed examinations of its impact and evolution still need to be made sparse. To conduct a comprehensive scientometric review of the most frequently cited papers in Indian spine research from 1995 to 2024, aiming to map the field's evolution and its global impact.

Methods: Utilizing the Scopus database, a search was performed with keywords related to spine research, identifying 105 highly cited papers.

Similar patient-reported satisfaction and professional appraisal of implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis fabricated by different workflows.

Design: A triple-armed, double-blind randomized controlled trial with cross-over design investigated patient-reported satisfaction and objective dental evaluation of a 3-unit, monolithic zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (iFDP) fabricated with 2 completely digital workflows and 1 mixed analog-digital workflow.

Case Selection: Participants enrolled required rehabilitation of 2 dental implants in posterior region of either of the arches with a 3-unit, ZrO2 iFDP. A total of 20 participants received the 3 types of ZrO2, iFDP fabricated by 3 different methods.

Recent advancements in the understanding of the alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. The processes underlying the pathophysiology of AD are still not fully understood despite a great deal of research. Since mitochondrial dysfunction affects cellular energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and neuronal survival, it is becoming increasingly clear that it plays a major role in the development of AD.