Unlocking biochar impacts on abiotic stress dynamics: a systematic review of soil quality and crop improvement.

Global agricultural challenges, especially soil degradation caused by abiotic stresses, significantly reduce crop productivity and require innovative solutions. Biochar (BC), a biodegradable product derived from agricultural and forestry residues, has been proven to significantly enhance soil quality. Although its benefits for improving soil properties are well-documented, the potential of BC to mitigate various abiotic stresses-such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity-and its effect on plant traits need further exploration.

Vitamin D deficiency presenting as seizures.

Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in the general population, likely due to lack of adequate exposure to sunlight as well as lack of sufficient dietary intake. However, severe hypocalcemia secondary to vitamin D deficiency, manifesting as seizures is uncommon. We present a series of such cases encountered by us in the time frame of June 2020 to Dec 2021 (the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic associated with a lockdown) during which patients of varying age groups presented with seizures.

Proof of concept study - alternative pharmacoprophylaxis for high-altitude pulmonary edema: A hospital-based randomized controlled trial.

Background: High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and abnormally high pulmonary artery pressure. Some patients who develop HAPE have more chances to develop HAPE again on reinduction to high altitude (HA). This was a pilot project to look for a suitable drug (acetazolamide, nifedipine, or tadalafil) that could be used prophylactically in HAPE patients on reinduction to HA.

Sports and exercise medicine: Beyond injury management.

There is a limited awareness about the role of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) among medical as well as nonmedical fraternity beyond just management of sports injuries. SEM professionals play a significant role in healthy general population and illness by designing and implementing specific primordial, primary and secondary preventive activities against the lifestyle disorders through exercise. In amateur and professional sports, they provide scientifically sound advice to enhance performance and prevent injuries through pre- and rehabilitative techniques.

Vexatious and euphemistic affairs in retractions of scientific publications: A pilot study.

Background: An increasing number of retractions have been published in the recent past which may be conforming to the large number publications being added on a daily basis. Concerns have been flagged time and again regarding comprehensiveness and utility of retraction notices.

Methods: Retraction notices published in PubMed in Jan 23 were analyzed for journal, publisher, article, country affiliation of authors, month of publication, who raised concern, main and additional reason for retraction, completeness of retraction notice, editors/authors requesting for retraction, agreement between authors and editors, and the number of citations received.

Analysis of factors influencing length of stay in the emergency department in public hospital, Padang, Indonesia.

Background: Extending the time patients spend in the emergency department (ED) not only diminishes the quality of care but also heightens the potential for harm and adversely impacts patient satisfaction. However, there exists a dearth of accessible information regarding the length of stay (LOS) in emergency departments and the factors associated with it in Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the LOS of patients in the emergency department of a public hospital in Padang, Indonesia.

Enamel renal gingival syndrome in Indian scenario: A systematic review.

Background: Enamel renal gingival syndrome (ERS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the FAM20A gene located on long arm of chromosome 17. It is characterized by presence of intra-oral features like hypoplastic type of amelogenesis imperfecta, fibromatosis of gingiva and nephrocalcinosis in addition to delayed eruption. The oral phenotype is evident in childhood, whereas the renal involvement is clinically silent at this age and requires further investigation for detection at later age.

Hiding in plain sight: A rare case of ocular thelaziasis.

A 65-year-old male patient presented to eye outpatient department of a zonal hospital in North Eastern India with complaints of diminution of vision for 1-year duration. On ocular examination, his unaided visual acuity was 6/36 right eye and 6/12 left eye. He was diagnosed as a case of immature senile cataract with nuclear sclerosis grade 2+ in the right eye and immature senile cataract with nuclear sclerosis grade 1+ in the left eye, with no other ocular or systemic findings.

An observational study to determine the role of indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA for desmogleins in the diagnosis and monitoring of autoimmune bullous disorders.

Background: Autoimmune bullous disorder (AIBD) is a diverse group of blistering dermatoses that affects the skin and mucous membrane, characterized by the formation of autoantibodies against the desmosomal glycoproteins and adhesion molecular components of the basement membrane zone. Various immunoassay techniques for serological diagnosis are Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF), Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. Quantitative ELISA titer can also be used to monitor the disease activity and response to treatment.

Specialty preferences of undergraduate medical students: What do they choose and why?

Background: The choice of choosing a specialty after completing MBBS is influenced by multiple factors. Personality traits like extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and open-mindedness form the intrinsic factors. Factors like early financial stability and cost of education form the external factors.

A cross-sectional study to estimate the cost of managing patients with acute on chronic liver failure at a tertiary care centre.

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a life threatening disease. This study seeks to identify factors that contribute to greater financial burden in ACLF.

Methods: In total, 55 patients were included.

Effectiveness of different combinations of phenoxetol and formaldehyde on preservation of histological features in human cadaveric tissues.

Background: Fixation preserves the tissues in a close to the life-like state by preventing its autolysis and putrefaction. Formalin has long been considered the close to ideal fixative for histological studies. With the awareness of occupational hazards, a few researchers have tried phenoxetol as a secondary preservative which offered comparable histological results to that of formalin.

Real world experience on patterns of usage and toxicity profile of immunotherapy drugs in Indian patients: A prospective observational study.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now considered revolutionary agents in the treatment of various cancers. Prospective data are limited on the patterns of usage and toxicity profile of these drugs. We planned this study for addressing the same in Indian patients.

Comparison of clinicodemographic characteristics in patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors poisoning: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Our objective of this study was to evaluate patients of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) overdose and compare the toxicological effects of citalopram overdose with other SSRIs in adult poisoning cases.

Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on acute, known-type SSRI ingestions. Demographic and toxicological data were collected on the patients.

Video bronchoscopic electrocautery fulguration of endobronchial carcinoids: Case series from an Indian tertiary care center.

Carcinoid tumors are slow-growing tumors noticed in the tracheobronchial tree and pulmonary parenchyma. Generally, these tumors are slow growing with minimum risk of distant metastasis, but the atypical type of carcinoids has greater malignant potential with lower survival rates. The primary and most effective treatment for all pulmonary carcinoid tumors is surgical resection if no contraindications to surgery exist.

Renal limited sarcoidosis presenting with acute kidney injury.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granuloma, multinucleate giant cells, and tissue destruction. While lung and lymph node involvement is common, isolated renal involvement is rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old female patient, with renal limited sarcoidosis, who presented with worsening sensorium and acute kidney injury.

The role of cation-exchange resins in hyperkalemia management.

Hyperkalemia, characterized by elevated serum potassium levels, poses significant health risks, including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The management of hyperkalemia has evolved, incorporating calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS) and newer agents such as sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) and patiromer alongside traditional treatments. This review provides a comprehensive examination of current management strategies for hyperkalemia, focusing on the comparative effectiveness, safety profiles, and patient preferences concerning CPS, SZC, and patiromer.

Sochureki, the different saw- scaled viper: Challenges are many!

Snake bite is a major cause of mortality in the Indian subcontinent. The condition is fraught with the problem of under reporting. Most bites in India are caused by the "Big 4 species," based on this, the anti-snake venom (ASV) is also sourced from these species only.

Challenges to Achieving Surgical Equity in Slums.

There is a critical lack of surgical data on individuals who live in urban slums, which hampers the allocation of healthcare resources and the provision of preventative measures. The complex interplay of factors affecting surgical care in slums, such as trust deficits, mental health concerns, and socioeconomic barriers, necessitates a distinct academic approach. We propose that researchers should consider "slum surgical health" as an area of study separate from urban health or slum health.

Impact of mechanical engineering innovations in biomedical advancements.

Abstract: The principal objective of the present paper is to meticulously review the family of biomaterials used in implants. A spectrum of applications of biomaterials in the perspective of prosthesis is also presented. This paper also emphasises on the review of the recent advancements in the field of biomedical implants with respect to mechanical engineering perspective.

Assessment of antimicrobial efficacy of leather coating using chitosan modified TiO-CuO nanocomposites.

This research investigates the microbial inactivation potential of ternary TiO-CuO-chitosan nanocomposites (TCC NCs) applied as surface coatings on cowhide leather. Initially, bare TiO nanoparticles (NPs) and binary TiO-CuO (TC) NCs, with varying CuO NPs content, were prepared using an sol-gel method. These binary TC NCs were then modified with chitosan at varying weight percentages (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%).