Application of the composite nanoparticles of selenium and chitosan for ameliorating arsenic stress in rice seedlings.

Selenium nanoparticles are well known for their antioxidant and stress-mitigating properties. In our study, composite nanoformulations of selenium and chitosan have been synthesized. The synthesized composite nanoformulations were 50 nm in diameter, spherical in shape, and had higher antioxidant activities and stability than the selenium and chitosan nanoparticles.

Do educated politicians facilitate better public health? Evidence from India.

Political representatives and their directives are discredited when there is an instance of rising mortality. However, there is limited empirical evidence linking public health outcomes to the quality of politicians. We investigate whether electing political leaders with higher levels of formal education affects child survival.

Interface dependent electron shunting in graphene-integrated intimately coupled photocatalytic biodegradation.

Intimately coupled photocatalytic biodegradation (ICPB) has been recently developed as an efficient wastewater treatment technique, particularly for removing persistent organic pollutants. However, photocatalyst/biofilm interaction in terms of photoelectron transfer and its effect on the overall performance of ICPB has not been explored. To investigate these points, interface-engineered composites of bismuth vanadate and reduced graphene oxide with low degree (BiVO/rGO-LC) and high degree of their contact (BiVO/rGO-HC) were fabricated and applied for ICPB.

Bioprospecting indigenous bacteria from landfill leachate for enhanced polypropylene microplastics degradation.

Plastic pollution, especially microplastics (MPs), is a severe environmental threat. Due to the significant environmental issues posed by plastics, it is critical to use an effective and sustainable degradation technique. The study aimed to isolate and identify Indigenous bacterial strains from landfill leachate (LL) to evaluate its potential for degrading Polypropylene microplastics (PPMPs).

Combined effects of climate stressors and soil arsenic contamination on metabolic profiles and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice productivity and quality are increasingly at risk in arsenic (As) affected areas, challenge that is expected to worsen under changing climatic conditions. Free-Air Concentration Enrichment experiments revealed that eCO, eO, and eTemp, whether acting individually or in combination with low and high As irrigation, significantly impact rice yield and grain quality. Elevated CO₂ significantly increased shoot biomass, with minimal impact on root biomass, except under low As irrigation conditions.

Promotion of cellular differentiation and DNA repair potential in brain cancer cells by Shankhpushpi, (Clitoria ternatea L.) with rasayana properties in vitro.

Background: Brain ageing is accompanied by the diminution of neuronal plasticity, which is correlated with the inability to respond to loss of memory, various stress-induced stimuli, and increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. In the recent past, plant based herbal medicines are of interest over synthetic drugs for therapeutic purposes due to lower side effects. The Indian traditional medicine Ayurveda describes several herbal remedies, such as rasayana (elixirs for rejuvenation), to treat many age-related diseases.

Add on effect of Whole System Ayurveda protocol in suboptimal controlled Primary Hypothyroidism - A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Primary hypothyroidism (PH) is a common chronic life style disorder. Whole system Ayurveda protocol on PH (WSAPH) is explored for it's possible complimentary role in the management of suboptimal controlled PH on stable levothyroxine therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of whole system Ayurveda protocol on Primary hypothyroidism with suboptimal response to stable levothyroxine therapy.

Simultaneous detection of dengue virus serotypes in a dual-serotype-detection nucleic acid based lateral flow assay.

Dengue virus (DENV) is an important arthropod-borne viral disease, with four antigenically and genetically diverse serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Timely and accurate diagnosis of dengue virus serotypes is crucial for the management of outbreaks. This study focussed on the development of a RT-PCR based lateral flow strip assay to detect DENV serotypes in a dual detection manner without using gel electrophoresis.

The relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Frailty is frequently observed in end-stage liver disease of various etiologies, but its role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains incompletely understood. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association and prevalence of frailty in NAFLD.

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed.

STAT3-related lncRNAs in colorectal cancer progression; Special focus on immune cell's evasion.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is globally ranked as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. There is an urgent need for novel biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis and enhance patient care, thereby improving treatment response and reducing mortality rates. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is essential for controlling the anti-tumor immune response since it is a hub for several oncogenic signaling pathways.

A transcriptomic analysis of the interplay of ferroptosis and immune filtration in endometriosis and identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease, involving immune cell infiltration and production of inflammatory mediators. Ferroptosis has recently been recognized as a mode of controlled cell death and the iron overload and peroxidative environment prevailing in the ectopic endometrium facilitates the occurrence of ferroptosis. In the current investigation, gene expression data was obtained from the dataset GSE7305.

Evaluation of Anti-Obesity Potential of Isolated Bioactive Fractions from Justicia Adhatoda Leaves: An In Vitro, In Vivo, and 3T3-L1 cell line Approach Using HPTLC-MS-MSn for Compound Identification.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity effects of bioactive fractions JAF2 and JAF3 from Justicia adhatoda (JA) in vitro using enzymatic assays, 3T3-L1 cells and in vivo using a monosodium glutamate-high-fat diet (MSG-HFD) model. High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HPTLC-MS-MSn) was finally utilized to analyze bioactive fractions for the compounds responsible for the activity. In vitro, the anti-obesity effects of JAF2 and JAF3 were assessed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, revealing that JAF2 significantly reduced lipid and triglyceride levels.

Innovative anticancer molecule andrographolide: a concise review of its pharmacological targets.

Labdane diterpenoid lactone andrographolide has gained attention in medicinal research due to its potential anticancer properties in terms of suppression of the growth, propagation, and relocation of various types of cancerous cells. The current review provides deep insight into the pharmacological analysis of the anticancer secondary metabolite andrographolide. We have attempted to keep an overview on the interaction of promising drugs like ligand molecule andrographolide with various biological targets.

Effectiveness of visual pedagogy in improving toothbrushing skills, oral hygiene and gingival health among children with autism- A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability that diminishes social interactions and communication. Maintaining good oral hygiene in them is a significant task.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a toothbrushing visual pedagogy (TBVP) in improving brushing skills, oral hygiene, and gingival status among children with autism.

Effectiveness of visual instruction skit and sign language on oral health status among 5-18-year-old hearing-impaired children in South India: A cluster randomized clinical trial.

Background: Literature on the effectiveness of theory-based oral health education on the oral hygiene status of hearing-impaired children is limited.

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of a school oral health education intervention on oral hygiene status and oral health-related knowledge among 5-18-year-old children in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Materials And Methods: A cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted among all institutionalized hearing-impaired children and young adults residing in various special care schools in Nellore district.

Translating and culturally adapting the sleep disturbance scale for children into Malayalam language: Enhancing pediatric health in the Indian context.

Purpose: The sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC) is a well-regarded tool for assessing pediatric sleep disorders, covering areas such as sleep initiation, breathing issues, and arousal disorders. The SDSC, known for its reliability and validity, has been adapted for various age groups and languages and aligns with the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers classification system. This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the SDSC into Malayalam language for use in Kerala, conducting a test with parents from the Trivandrum district.

Psychometric evaluation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Konkani version of the Oral Health-related Early Childhood Quality of Life (OH-ECQoL) scale.

Context: The oral health-related early childhood quality of life (OH-ECQoL) tool, designed to evaluate how dental issues affect preschoolers' and their family's quality of life (QoL), has been translated and validated in many languages. However, it has not yet been adapted into the Konkani language.

Aim: Cross-cultural adaptation of OH-ECQoL tool for use in the Konkani-speaking population in the state of Goa among primary caregivers of children aged 24-71 months.

Efficacy of different endodontic irrigants in the lesion sterilization and tissue repair technique in primary molars: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background And Aim: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of different endodontic irrigants employed in the lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) technique.

Methods: Forty children aged 4-8 years having at least one primary molar with irreversible pulpitis/pulpal necrosis indicated for pulpectomy were included. Participants were randomly divided into three test groups (Group A, B, and C) and one control group (Group D).

Comparative evaluation of silver diamine fluoride, glass ionomer cement, and calcium hydroxide for indirect pulp therapy in young permanent molars: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Comparative evaluation of indirect pulp therapy (IPT) with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), Type VII glass ionomer cement (GIC), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in young permanent molars.

Materials And Methods: This was randomized controlled trial, in which 45 children with 60 young permanent first molars were allocated as; Group A: IPT with SDF, Group B: Type VII GIC, and Group C: Ca(OH)2. Clinical and radiographic evaluation and comparison was done at baseline, 3, 6, 12 months.

Evaluating the efficacy of cavity disinfection using methylene blue dye with 660-nm diode laser on primary molars: An in vivo study.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of methylene blue dye with 660-nm diode laser in cavity disinfection and to compare the total bacterial count in dentinal samples preexcavation, postexcavation, and postdisinfection. The study design was experimental in vivo.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen children aged 5-12 years with 15 primary molars requiring atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) were selected.

A comparative evaluation of the effects of white noise, brown noise, and pink noise on dental anxiety of pediatric patients undergoing dental extraction treatment: A randomized control study.

Background: Audio-analgesia is one of the unexplored aspects of behavior management in pediatric dentistry, and recently, there have been many new inclusions in shades of noise that were previously just limited to white noise, like brown noise and pink noise.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of white noise, brown noise, and pink noise on dental anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing primary tooth extraction.

Study Settings And Design: Multiarm, triple-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.