Stool processing methods for Xpert Ultra testing in childhood tuberculosis: A prospective, multi-country accuracy study.

Background: Centrifuge-free processing methods support stool Xpert Ultra testing for childhood tuberculosis (TB), but there are limited data on their accuracy, acceptability and usability.

Methods: We conducted a prospective evaluation of stool Xpert Ultra in India, South Africa, and Uganda with three methods: Stool Processing Kit (SPK), Simple One-Step (SOS), and Optimized Sucrose Flotation (OSF). Children <15 years old with presumptive TB had respiratory specimen testing with Xpert Ultra and culture.

Direct Stereoselective Synthesis of 2-Deoxyglycosides via Visible-Light-Induced Photoacid-Catalyzed Activation of Glycosyl -[1-(-MeO-Phenyl)vinyl]benzoates (PMPVBs) as Donors.

The photoacid-catalyzed synthesis of 2-deoxy glycosides is presented using stable glycosyl -[1-(-MeO-Phenyl)vinyl]benzoate (PMPVB) donors and employing the eosin Y and diphenyl disulfide (PhSSPh) catalytic system in the presence of blue LED lights. The remote activation of the alkene functionality under the photoacid catalysis followed by a 5-- cyclization led to the generation of oxocarbenium ions that were trapped to provide the glycosylated products in excellent yields and decent selectivities under mild conditions. This method is also useful for the photoacid-catalyzed synthesis of -methoxybenzyl-alkyl ethers.

Trends and projections of type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Asia: a three-decade analysis and forecast through 2031 using global burden of disease study (1990 - 2021).

Background: The rapid rise of non-communicable diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), poses a significant global public health challenge, with South Asia experiencing an increasingly severe burden. This study aimed to analyse historical trends of T2DM across South Asia from 1990 to 2021 and forecast incidence through 2031.

Research Design And Methods: We carried out analysis based on the data from the 2021 Global burden of disease study.

Unleashing the potential of rare earth ions in modified calcium titanate for strategic anti-counterfeiting application.

Technological advancements have intensified the demand for effective counterfeiting protection. This work presents multi-level security features in a (Ca,Zn)TiO:Pr,Er phosphor. A dual doping strategy synergistically results in dynamically changing luminescence emission.

Prevalence and incidence of zoonotic diseases in South Asia: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review aims to estimate the prevalence and incidence of zoonotic diseases from studies of populations from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).

Introduction: South Asia is of notable importance in terms of the prevalence and incidence of endemic zoonoses, as well as its role as a focal point for emerging zoonotic diseases.

Inclusion Criteria: All populations residing in the 8 South Asian countries, irrespective of age/gender, will be considered.

Can unilateral-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion replace the traditional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedure for lumbar degenerative disc diseases?: a single center matched case-control mid-term outcome study.

Study Design: Matched case-control study.

Purpose: To evaluate the midterm outcomes of unilateral pedicle screw fixation (UPSF) versus bilateral pedicle screw fixation (BPSF) in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure, ascertain efficacy of UPSF in adequately decompressing contralateral foramen+spinal canal and reducing rate of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) at 4-8-year follow-up (FU).

Overview Of Literature: Previous meta-analyses found no significant differences between UPSF and BPSF regarding fusion rates, clinical and radiological outcomes; however, few studies have reported higher rates of cage migration/subsidence and pseudoarthrosis in the UPSF.

Current trends in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring among Asia-Pacific countries: an Asia-Pacific Spine Society survey.

Study Design: A prospective web-based survey.

Purpose: Although intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is critical in spine surgery, its usage is largely based on the surgeon's discretion, and studies on its usage trends in Asia-Pacific countries are lacking. This study aimed to examine current trends in IONM usage in Asia-Pacific countries.

Optimising deformity correction: a retrospective comparative analysis of two techniques in high magnitude curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective comparative study.

Purpose: To validate the hypothesis that a combination of multilevel Ponte osteotomy (PO) with intraoperative traction (IOT) results in a better correction than IOT alone in high-magnitude curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and does not possess an attributable risk of neurological injury.

Overview Of Literature: On a comprehensive review of the literature, the choice of technique adopted for curves between 65° and 100° remains controversial with no major consensus favoring one technique over the other.

Comparing adjacent segment biomechanics between anterior and posterior cervical fusion using patient-specific finite element modeling.

Study Design: This study employed a patient-specific finite element model.

Purpose: To quantify the effect of anterior and posterior surgical approaches on adjacent segment biomechanics of the patient-specific spine and spinal cord.

Overview Of Literature: Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is a well-documented complication following cervical fusion, typically resulting from accelerated osteoligamentous deterioration and subsequent symptomatic neural compression.

Unravelling the potential of a hybrid borocarbonitride biphenylene 2D network for thermoelectric applications: a first principles study.

In this study, we investigate a novel hybrid borocarbonitride (bpn-BCN) 2D material inspired by recent advances in carbon biphenylene synthesis, using first-principles calculations and semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. Our analysis confirms the structural stability of bpn-BCN through formation energy, elastic coefficients, phonon dispersion, and molecular dynamics simulations at 300 K and 800 K. The material exhibits an indirect band gap of 0.

A Systematic Review on Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Interventions in Hemiplegia ().

The study's objective is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review for assessing the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions in managing hemiplegia/Pakshaghata. The study involved a search across multiple online databases and online clinical trial registries. Additionally, major Ayurveda postgraduate institutes were contacted to acquire unpublished trial data related to hemiplegia/Pakshaghata.

ICAM-1 K469E gene polymorphism, genotype-phenotype correlation, and retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Context: The role of genetic factors in the development of diabetic retinopathy is evident from the fact that only 50% of patients with the non-proliferative type of diabetic retinopathy progress to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Though the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1) gene is known to increase the risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) among Type 2 diabetic patients, its role in the development of severe DR has not been extensively studied.

Aim: Hence, we aimed to determine the risk due to association of K469E polymorphism of ICAM-1 gene and sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

Josephson diode effect in one-dimensional quantum wires connected to superconductors with mixed singlet-triplet pairing.

The Josephson diode effect (JDE), characterized by asymmetric critical currents in a Josephson junction, has drawn considerable attention in the field of condensed matter physics. We investigate the conditions under which JDE can manifest in a one-dimensional Josephson junction composed of a spin-orbit-coupled quantum wire with an applied Zeeman field, connected between two superconductors (SCs). Our study reveals that while spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and a Zeeman field in the quantum wire are not sufficient to induce JDE when the SCs are purely singlet, introduction of triplet pairing in the SCs leads to the emergence of JDE.

A-site composition tuning in methylammonium-based metal halide perovskite colloidal nanocrystals.

Utilizing the soft-lattice nature of metal halide perovskites, we employ post-synthetic cross-ion exchange to synthesize a series of narrow band-gap colloidal nanocrystals of methylammonium-based lead iodide solid solutions of composition FAMAPbI, as well as those of triple-cation composition CsFAMAPbI (TCPbI). The ability to finely tune the compositions not only helps in tailoring the optical properties in the near-infrared region, but also improves the stability of these colloidal nanocrystals towards moisture, which has been demonstrated as compared to their bulk counterparts. The thermal stability of these solid solutions is also comparable to that of the bulk, as evidenced by thermogravimetric studies.

The 2023 fatal dengue outbreak in Bangladesh highlights a paradigm shift of geographical distribution of cases.

In 2023, Bangladesh experienced its largest and deadliest outbreak of the Dengue virus (DENV), reporting the highest-ever recorded annual cases and deaths. Historically, most of the cases were recorded in the capital city, Dhaka. We aimed to characterize the geographical transmission of DENV in Bangladesh.

Predictive Markers of Incident Tuberculosis in Close Contacts in Brazil and India.

There are insufficient predictors of progression to tuberculosis among contacts. A case-control study within RePORT-Brazil matched 20 QuantiFERON-positive progressors and 40 non-progressors by sex, age, and exposure duration. Twenty-nine cytokines were measured by Luminex in QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus supernatants collected at baseline and evaluated using machine learning for tuberculosis prediction.

Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis leading to right ventricular outflow obstruction.

Isolated native pulmonary valve endocarditis is rare. We present a rare case of isolated native pulmonary valve endocarditis resulting in severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in an immunocompetent patient with surgically repaired ventricular septal defect caused by Burkholderia cepacia.

Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis From Community-Based Representative Evidence Between 2011 to 2023.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence varies widely across different regions of India. We aimed to identify the status of CKD in India, by systematically reviewing the published community-based studies between the period of January 2011 to December 2023. PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched for peer-reviewed evidence.

Clinical and radiographic assessment of effect of platelet-rich fibrin on dental implant osseointegration - A split mouth randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Biomimetic agents are being researched for their potential to stimulate bone formation and boost bone-implant contact. The objective of this study was to assess how osseointegration of dental implants is impacted by platelet-rich fibrin.

Materials And Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial with a split mouth design.

Unlocking the Vitamin Puzzle: Investigating Levels in People With Alzheimer's Disease Versus Healthy Controls Through Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

The progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is intricately tied to the impairment of neurons, crucial for neurological functions. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism underlying AD development remains elusive due to its multifaceted aetiology. Vitamin deficiency has emerged as a notable contributor to AD onset and progression, exerting a significant influence on brain function.

Novel Variants of IGF2 Gene Are Linked With Neural Tube Defects-An In Silico to Clinical Approach in West Bengal, India.

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are defined as an incomplete closure of the neural tube (NT), with a prevalence of 1.2 per 1000 live births around the world. Methylation of the maternally imprinted gene Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that contribute significantly to the development of NTDs.

Porous Materials for Early Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, present formidable challenges in modern medicine due to their complex pathologies and the absence of curative treatments. Despite advances in symptomatic management, early diagnosis remains essential for mitigating disease progression and improving patient outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as MRI, PET, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analysis, are often inadequate for the early detection of these diseases.

Enhancing Construction Safety Through Workplace Surveillance and Systematic Follow-Ups.

Background: Globally, construction jobs are associated with serious occupational safety and health (OSH) risks. In large construction projects, managing OSH risks is challenging due to a multitude of factors, and it is important to have sound management strategies and innovative solutions to tackle these ever-evolving OSH risks. Safety surveillance plays a pivotal role in accident prevention in the construction industry.