PDE4 Inhibitors and their Potential Combinations for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with cough, sputum production, and a reduction in lung function, quality of life, and life expectancy. Currently, bronchodilator combinations (β2-agonists and muscarinic receptor antagonists, dual therapy) and bronchodilators combined with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), triple therapy, are the mainstays for the management of COPD. However, the use of ICS in triple therapy has been shown to increase the risk of pneumonia in some patients.

A multi-patch-based deep learning model with VGG19 for breast cancer classifications in the pathology images.

Purpose: Breast cancer encompasses various subtypes with distinct prognoses, necessitating accurate stratification methods. Current techniques rely on quantifying gene expression in limited subsets. Given the complexity of breast tissues, effective detection and classification of breast cancer is crucial in medical imaging.

A Novel Model Using ML Techniques for Clinical Trial Design and Expedited Patient Onboarding Process.

Introduction: Clinical trials are critical for drug development and patient care; however, they often need more efficient trial design and patient enrolment processes. This research explores integrating machine learning (ML) techniques to address these challenges. Specifically, the study investigates ML models for two critical aspects: (1) streamlining clinical trial design parameters (like the site of drug action, type of Interventional/Observational model, etc) and (2) optimizing patient/volunteer enrolment for trials through efficient classification techniques.

Can Emax and platelet count truly differentiate between benign and malignant liver lesions?

This letter critically evaluates Jiang 's article on the differentiation of benign and malignant liver lesions using Emax and platelet count. Despite notable findings, significant methodological and interpretative limitations are identified. The study lacks detailed assay conditions for Emax measurement, employs inadequate statistical methods without robust multivariate analysis, and does not provide clinically relevant threshold values.

Ancillary tests for brain death.

Background: Ancillary tests are often used in the determination of death by neurologic criteria (DNC), especially when the clinical examination is inconclusive. DNC is widely accepted, as defined by the comprehensive report of the World Brain Death Project. However, there are several medical, legal, religious, ethical, and social controversies.

Hands at work: A randomised cross-over mannequin-based trial exploring the impact of hand preference of health care professionals on effectiveness of chest compressions.

Aim And Background: There are various theories regarding the ideal hand to be in contact with chest during chest compressions when healthcare professionals and medical students perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Our study aimed to compare the impact of preferred versus non-preferred hand placement on chest on the CPR quality.

Methodology: The volunteers were randomised to place their preferred (P)/non-preferred (NP) hand over sternum for the first session and switch hands for the second.

Liquid biopsy in cancer management: Integrating diagnostics and clinical applications.

Liquid biopsy is an innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic tool revolutionizing cancer management by enabling the detection and analysis of cancer-related biomarkers from bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which require invasive procedures, liquid biopsy offers a more accessible and repeatable method for tracking cancer progression, detecting early-stage cancers, and monitoring therapeutic responses. The technology primarily focuses on analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and other cancer-derived genetic materials.

The science of printing and polishing 3D-printed dentures.

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of various techniques available for printing, finishing and polishing of 3D printed prosthesis.

Methods: The articles were selected from electronic databases including PubMed and Scopus. Recently, lot of advancements have been observed in the field of 3D printing in dentistry.

Genotoxic effects in island populations of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia due to environmental exposure to mercury and cadmium.

Background: Contamination of Cartagena Bay, Colombia with heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) presents a major environmental and public health concern, particularly for human communities residing on nearby islands and coastal areas. These populations face enhanced exposure risks owing to their traditional fishing practices and continuous interactions with polluted marine environments. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to Hg and Cd in populations from the island zone of the Cartagena district, Bolívar.

New and species (Pleosporales, Ascomycota) from spp. in China.

Saprobic fungi are known for their critical role in decomposition and nutrient cycling. The study of saprobic fungi is equally important, as it helps in understanding their ecological roles and identifying their hidden diversity. This study focused on saprobic fungi on , which is poorly studied compared to economically important hosts like coffee, tea, and rubber.

Roles of calcium in ameloblasts during tooth development: A scoping review.

Objectives: Calcium ions (Ca) play crucial role in tooth development, particularly in maintaining enamel density during amelogenesis. Ameloblasts require specific proteins such as amelogenin, ameloblastin, enamelin, kallikrein, and collagen for enamel growth. Recent research has highlighted the importance of calcium and fluoride ions, as well as the TRPM7, STIM, and SOCE pathways, in regulating various stages of enamel formation.

Long-acting nifedipine in the management of essential hypertension: a review for cardiologists.

Calcium channel antagonists, specifically long-acting nifedipine formulations, play a crucial role in treating hypertension and angina. Originally used for angina, nifedipine has been widely employed as an antihypertensive medication for over 40 years. It offers rapid action and oral bioavailability with minimal maternal or fetal side effects, making it suitable for treating hypertensive crises during pregnancy.

Outcomes of single-incision-augmented core decompression using trochanteric autograft in osteonecrosis of femoral head-a mean 5-year follow-up study.

Osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) can be a debilitating disease, for which numerous salvage surgeries have been popularized to halt its progression. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of a single-incision core decompression (CD) technique using trochanteric autograft in ONFH and to determine the prognostic factors of treatment success. Sixty-six hips (41 patients) of Association Research Circulation (ARCO) 1 and 2 ONFH undergoing CD were included in the study with a mean follow-up of 58 months.

Evaluation of diesel engine performance and emissions using biodiesel from waste oils synthesized with FeO-SiO heterogeneous nano catalyst.

Purpose: Biodiesel is a non-toxic, renewable, and environmentally friendly fuel used in compression ignition engines. This work aimed to develop FeO/SiO as a cheap, magnetic, and easy separable catalyst for biodiesel production from waste oil by sono-catalytic transesterification.

Methods: Fe₃O₄-SiO₂ was prepared using a modified Stober method and used as a heterogeneous catalyst in an ultrasound-assisted transesterification reaction to produce biodiesel.

Efficient regeneration protocol for producing true-to-type oil palm ( (jacq.) through somatic embryogenesis from immature male inflorescence.

Producing homogeneous planting material in oil palm poses a significant challenge, which can be addressed through somatic embryogenesis. This study successfully achieved somatic embryogenesis using immature male inflorescence from Tenera hybrid. Modified Eeuwens medium yielded better results than the Murashige and Skoog (MS) and CHU (N6) media when supplemented with 2,4-D, picloram and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).

Linguistic validation and cultural adaptation of Tamil version of oxford shoulder score.

Background: The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) is a well-established and extensively utilized shoulder score translated into Western and Asian languages for use in respective countries. Our study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and psychometrically validate the OSS in the Tamil language community.

Methods: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation were conducted according to previously established standards.

Capturing the micro-communities: Insights into biogenesis and architecture of bacterial biofilms.

Biofilm is an assemblage of microorganisms embedded within the extracellular matrix that provides mechanical stability, nutrient absorption, antimicrobial resistance, cell-cell interactions, and defence against host immune system. Various biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, protein polymers (amyloid), and eDNA are present in the matrix playing significant role in determining the distinctive properties of biofilm. The formation of biofilms contributes to resistance against antimicrobial therapy in most of the human infections and exacerbates existing diseases.

Sex and gender differentials in the prevalence of obesity and its association with multimorbidity among reproductive-aged individuals in India.

Introduction: The increase in the prevalence of obesity has become a common public health issue worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India witnessing an equal rise. It makes a considerable contribution to chronic diseases as it is a major risk factor for other chronic illnesses. Multimorbidity, or the presence of two or more chronic illnesses, is becoming more common in LMICs, resulting in poor health outcomes.

Growth dynamics of Indian infants using latent trajectory models in pooled survey datasets.

Background: National survey data show that age- and sex-standardized weight and length measurements decline early in Indian children. In population-level longitudinal data, early detection of growth trajectories is important for the implementation of interventions. We aimed to identify and characterize distinct growth trajectories of Indian children from birth to 12 months of age residing in urban and rural areas.

The Role of Host-Range Expansion and Co-Speciation in Host-Parasite Associations With the Divergence of the Great Tit Species Complex.

During the evolution of parasites, co-speciation and host-range expansion are thought to play roles in establishing associations with hosts, while sorting events can lead to dissolution of those associations. To address the roles of these processes, we focus on avian haemosporidian parasites infecting hosts of the intensively studied great tit species complex. We estimated the phylogeography of lineages detected in the species complex, and quantified their transition probabilities among hosts.

Age-dependent phenotypes of cognitive impairment as sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cognitive changes associated with PASC may not be uniform across populations. We conducted individual-level pooled analyses and meta-analyses of cognitive assessments from eight prospective cohorts, comprising 2,105 patients and 1,432 controls from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Greece, India, Italy, Russia, and the UK. The meta-analysis found no differences by country of origin.

Cytomegalovirus Colitis Masquerading as a Recurrent Colonic Polyp in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Cytomegalovirus colitis most commonly affects immunocompromised patients, although it is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in immunocompetent patients. Older age, chronic disease, and critical illness are also important risk factors and may lead providers to consider the diagnosis in otherwise immunocompetent patients. Endoscopic presentation is variable and does not significantly influence outcomes.

Interference of potassium chloride and diammonium hydrogen phosphate on volumetric, viscometric and spectroscopic properties of aqueous nicotinamide.

Understanding how vitamins and fertilizers interact in aquatic environments is crucial for managing water quality, protecting aquatic life, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The molecular interactions between nicotinamide (NA) and two fertilizers, potassium chloride (KCl) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP), were examined by density () and viscosity () measurements in order to investigate and analyze the solvation behavior that occurs in the ternary solutions (NA + KCl/DAP + water). All of these investigations were conducted at temperatures ranging from 293.

A novel LC-TQ-MS/MS method for quantifying mefenamic acid-NDSRI (N-nitroso drug substance-related impurity) in mefenamic acid tablet and pediatric suspension dosage forms: a comparative study with a cost-effective white, green, and blue UPLC method.

The current research presents novel LC-TQ-MS/MS and cost-effective UPLC methods intended for the accurate quantification of mefenamic acid-N-nitroso drug substance-related impurity-NDSRI (N-MFA) in mefenamic acid (MFA) tablet and pediatric suspension dosage forms. The acceptable intake of N-MFA is derived from the TD50 (Median Toxic Dose-50%) value of N-nitroso diphenylamine. The analytical separation was achieved for the UPLC method using an XBridge BEH Shield RP18 Column (150 × 3.

Investigation of the photocatalytic potential of C/N-co-doped ZnO nanorods produced a mechano-thermal process.

Doping in pure materials causes vital alterations in opto-electrical and physicochemical characteristics, which enable the produced doped material to be highly efficient and effective. The current work focused on the synthesis of C/N-co-doped-ZnO nanorods a facile, eco-friendly, and solvent-free mechano-thermal approach. The synthesized C/N-co-doped ZnO nanorods were employed for the photocatalytic decay of methylene blue (MB) and brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) dyes, and their degradation capability was compared with that of pure ZnO nanoparticles prepared a precipitation approach.