Introducing and establishing birth companionship in labour ward of a tertiary care centre in North India: a quality improvement journey through and beyond COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Allowing a birth companion is the basic right of a mother and is identified as an important component of respectful maternity care. The implementation of this intervention has been a challenge in heavy-load public health facilities in India.

Local Problem: Despite the proven benefits of the presence of birth companions on maternal-fetal outcomes, there was no policy of allowing birth companions in our hospital.

Myofibroblastoma of the breast mimicking carcinoma: a diagnostic challenge with a crucial role for histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

Myofibroblastoma is a rare mesenchymal tumour known for its benign nature but complex diagnostic pathway. A woman in her 40s presented with a painless breast mass, initially reported as a fibroadenoma on ultrasound mammography and as a benign to borderline phyllodes tumour on fine needle aspiration cytology. Contrast-enhanced CT was reported as carcinoma of the breast with Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System (BIRADS)-6.

Trichoptysis: a pathognomonic presentation of anterior mediastinal teratoma.

Germ cell tumours are usually found in the gonads, while the most common extragonadal site is the anterior mediastinum. When these tumours involve the tracheobronchial tree, patients present with trichoptysis or coughing up of hair. We present a rare case of a woman who presented with trichoptysis and was evaluated and diagnosed with benign mature teratoma of the anterior mediastinum with bronchopulmonary involvement.

Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Aortic Surgery: What You Need to Know.

Background: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), a subtype of acute mesenteric ischemia, is primarily caused by mesenteric arterial vasoconstriction and decreased vascular resistance, leading to impaired intestinal perfusion.Commonly observed after cardiac surgery, NOMI affects older patients with cardiovascular or systemic diseases, accounting for 20-30% of acute mesenteric ischemia cases with a mortality rate of ∼50%. This review explores NOMI's pathophysiology, clinical implications in aortic dissection, and the unmet needs in diagnosis and management, emphasizing its prognostic significance.

Clonal Haematopoiesis of Indeterminate potential and Cardiovascular diseases : A review.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major driver of mortality and declining health worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Although dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and obesity are some well-known causes of CVD, the overlapping genetic pathways between other diseases and those affecting cardiovascular health have been overlooked.

Comparison of patient radiation exposure in coronary angiography via the trans-radial versus trans-femoral approach.

Background: Cardiac catheterization via the trans-radial approach (TRA) has shown several advantages over the trans-femoral approach (TFA) but with a concern of higher radiation exposure. Considering the growing experience with TRA, this study compares patient's radiation during coronary angiography using TRA versus TFA.

Methods: This study included consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiogram over a year at tertiary hospital performed by experienced operators through radial or femoral access.

Mucilage-based composites films and coatings for food packaging application: A review.

Developing sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions has garnered significant interest in recent years. Mucilage-based coatings and composites offer a promising approach due to their biodegradability, renewable nature, and ability to enhance food quality protection. This review paper discusses the impact of mucilage-based composites and coatings on various packaging applications, focusing on their physical, mechanical, morphological, barrier, and functional properties.

Bacillus spp. as microbial factories for levan and fructooligosaccharide production - Recent trends.

Levan is a fructan-type homopolysaccharide that has gained increasing attention due to its unique properties and promising applications. It is a fructose-based polymer produced through microbial fermentation by diverse microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and archaea. The ongoing research on levan mainly focuses on optimizing production processes, elucidating its biological functions, and uncover novel applications.

Synthesis of chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose connect flavonoid (CH-Fla-CMC) composite and their investigation of antioxidant, cytotoxicity activities.

This study successfully synthesised and characterised composites combining chitosan (CH), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and various flavonoids (Fla). This innovative approach demonstrates the potential for developing functional materials with antioxidant and food preservation properties. The composites CH-Fla-CMC (1-5) was characterised using advanced techniques such as FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, SEM, TEM, and TGA, providing robust data on their structural, morphological, and thermal properties.

Evolution of transcription factor-containing superfamilies in Eukaryotes.

Regulation of gene expression helps determine various phenotypes in most cellular life forms. It is orchestrated at different levels and at the point of transcription initiation by transcription factors (TFs). TFs bind to DNA through domains that are evolutionarily related, by shared membership of the same superfamilies (TF-SFs), to those found in other nucleic acid binding and protein-binding functions (nTFs for non-TFs).

Beyond Chemotherapy: Exploring 5-FU Resistance and Stemness in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, demanding continuous advancements in treatment strategies. This review explores the complexities of targeting colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the mechanisms contributing to resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The efficacy of 5-FU is enhanced by combination therapies such as FOLFOXIRI and targeted treatments like bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab, particularly in KRAS wild-type tumors, despite associated toxicity.

"The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Incidental Pulmonary Hydatidosis masquerading as Constitutional Symptoms".

Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains a significant health concern in endemic regions. This case report aims to highlight the diagnostic challenges of pulmonary hydatid cysts in non-endemic areas, presenting a unique case of an incidental pulmonary hydatid cyst in a 31-year-old lactating female discovered during evaluation of non-specific constitutional symptoms.

Decoding the SARS-CoV-2 Infection Process: Insights into Origin, Spread, and Therapeutic Approaches.

Globally, over 768 million confirmed cases and 6.9 million deaths had been documented as of July 17, 2023. Coronaviruses have a relatively large RNA genome.

Natural phytochemicals reverting M2 to M1 macrophages: A novel alternative Leishmaniasis therapy.

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania which remains a significant global health concern with diverse clinical manifestations. Transmitted through the bite of an infected sandfly, its progression depends on the interplay between the host immune response and the parasite. The disease outcome is linked to macrophage polarisation into M1 and M2 phenotypes.

Comparison of different freezing rates on post-thaw viability, proliferation, and stemness of sheep spermatogonial stem cells.

The application of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) will be more effective and feasible following the successful cryopreservation and transfer of SSCs in livestock. Like other cells, SSCs are also sensitive to cryoinjury; hence composition of the cryomedia and freezing protocols need to be optimized. The present study aims to optimising the best freezing rates by minimising the ice crystallization and dehydration effect in order to maximize the post-thaw SSCs survivability and stemness characteristics.

Biofouling dynamics and antifouling innovations: Transitioning from traditional biocides to nanotechnological interventions.

Biofouling is a common phenomenon caused by waterborne organisms such as bacteria, diatoms, mussels, barnacles, algae, etc., accumulating on the surfaces of engineering structures submerged under water. This leads to corrosion of such surfaces and decreases their moving efficiency.

Pollution profiles, pathogenicity, and toxicity of bioaerosols in the atmospheric environment of urban general hospital in China.

Airborne microorganisms in hospitals present significant health risks to both patients and employees. However, their pollution profiles and associated hazards in different hospital areas remained largely unknown during the extensive use of masks and disinfectants. This study investigated the characteristics of bioaerosols in an urban general hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations range from 87±35 to 1037±275 CFU/m and 21±15 to 561±132 CFU/m, respectively, with the outpatient clinic and internal medicine ward showing the highest levels.

Indobufen versus aspirin in patients with indication for antiplatelet therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Aspirin is commonly recommended for individuals who have experienced stroke or myocardial infarction (MI). Indobufen, a cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor, has been studied as a potential alternative. We conducted a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) to compare indobufen with aspirin in patients requiring antiplatelet therapy.

Mitigation of microfibers in laundry effluent: Investigation of luffa fibers as an eco-friendly filtration system.

Domestic laundry wastewater is a major contributor to microfiber emissions in the aquatic environment. Among several mitigation measures, the use of external filters to capture microfibers from wastewater is one of the most efficient and commercially viable methods. This study attempted to develop an eco-friendly filtration medium to filter microfibers in laundry wastewater using luffa cylindrica fibers.

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from medicinal plants: An insight into molecular mechanism, in-silico studies and signaling pathways.

Background: Medicinal plants have historically been the cornerstone of treatment for a myriad of ailments. With modern pharmacology, many contemporary drugs have been derived from traditional medicine practices. Essential oils from these plants, known for their anti-inflammatory capabilities, have played a significant role in treating conditions such as cardiovascular and inflammatory skin diseases, as well as joint inflammation.

Interconnecting surgical science, art, philosophy and technology for holistic health.

Surgery is the branch of medicine which involves correction of the diseases by means of interventions and by means of various instruments and methods. Surgery in latin is called as Chirugi and in the Indian context it is termed as 'Shalyatantra'. Surgery is the science as well as the tantra or technology.

A promising future for breast cancer therapy with hydroxamic acid-based histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a critical role in chromatin remodelling and modulating the activity of various histone proteins. Aberrant HDAC functions has been related to the progression of breast cancer (BC), making HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) promising small-molecule therapeutics for its treatment. Hydroxamic acid (HA) is a significant pharmacophore due to its strong metal-chelating ability, HDAC inhibition properties, MMP inhibition abilities, and more.