piRNAs in the human retina and retinal pigment epithelium reveal a potential role in intracellular trafficking and oxidative stress.

Long considered active only in the germline, the PIWI/piRNA pathway is now known to play a significant role in somatic cells, especially neurons. In this study, piRNAs were profiled in the human retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Furthermore, RNA immunoprecipitation with HIWI2 (PIWIL4) in ARPE19 cells yielded 261 piRNAs, and the expression of selective piRNAs in donor eyes was assessed by qRT-PCR.

Red Ribbon Club inculcation of positive deviance approach to promote blood donation among undergraduate medical college students.

Background: Blood is an essential part of human life and blood donation has become a necessity that every society must take into consideration. Health care professionals have a major responsibility in raising community awareness on blood donation.

Objective: This study aims to find out the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students on blood donation and to determine the effectiveness of positive deviance (PD) approach.

Disabling tinnitus and third nerve palsy following pontine hemorrhage: Application of ICF framework.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage commonly affects the brainstem. This report describes a 31-year-old male with hypertension who developed a pontine hemorrhage. The neurological deficits included left-third nerve palsy, right-sided weakness, and disabling tinnitus.

Soluble Endoglin and Syndecan-1 levels predicts the clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients.

Endothelial instability is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The mechanism that regulates the endothelial dysfunction and disease virulence is not known. Studies on proteins that are released into circulation by activated endothelial cells may provide some means to understand the disease manifestation.

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical insights on the anti-glioma effects of a dual-drug cocktail in an experimental model.

Glioma coined as 'butterfly tumor' exhibits intense heterogeneity at the molecular and cellular levels. Although, Temozolomide exerted a long-ranging and prevailing therapeutic effect against glioma, albeit it has provided modest survival outcome. Fucoidan, (marine brown algal derivative) has demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects including glioma.

Cord Blood Cortisol Level - A Possible Predictor for Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Neonates.

Background: Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a leading cause of death in premature infants. There are different clinical/ biochemical markers associated with the RDS. One of the potential biochemical markers is cortisol in cord blood.

Prevalence and Predictors of Anaemia Among Women of Reproductive Age in South and Southeast Asia.

Background Anaemia is a global public health issue that mostly affects children, women, and adults in low- and middle-income countries. Aim This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of anaemia and its contributing factors among South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) women of reproductive age. Methods Data analysis was undertaken utilising data from 10 SSEA countries' Demographic and Health Surveys.

Yoga Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia. A Narrative Review.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by bothersome epigastric pain or burning, fullness after meals or early satiety. The precise pathophysiology remains incompletely understood but may include the role of disordered gut-brain communication leading to disturbances in gastro-duodenal physiological functioning. Even if there are several pharmacological treatment options, it is a chronic and relapsing disorder with persistent symptoms that makes its management difficult.

Nanophytosome formulation of β-1,3-glucan and extract for drug delivery applications.

(EG) is a unicellular freshwater alga known for its high β-1,3-glucan (BG) content with well-known biological properties and immune response. The high molecular weight structure of BG traditionally poses a challenge in terms of its size and absorption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a novel drug delivery mechanism of BG and EG to nanophytosomes (NPs) by converting the heavy molecular weight of BG and EG into lipid phosphatidylcholine (PC), which plays an important role in improving their bioavailability and entrapment in captivity.

Computational insights into potential marine natural products as selective inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis InhA: A structure-based virtual screening study.

Several factors are associated with the emergence of drug resistance mechanisms, such as impermeable cell walls, gene mutations, and drug efflux systems. Consequently, bacteria acquire resistance, leading to a decrease in drug efficacy. A new and innovative strategy is required to combat drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB) effectively.

Effect of Passion Fruit Juice in Removal of Smear Layer in Root Canal of Human Teeth: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Context: The smear layer produced during the instrumentation of the root canal contains both organic and inorganic components, and it is recommended to be removed as it has a mixture of bacteria and their byproducts. Irrigants like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), endodontic irrigant, citric acid, etc., possess the ability to remove the smear layer.

Analysis of gene expression profile for identification of novel gene signatures during dengue infection.

Background: Dengue is a major arthropod-borne viral disease spreading rapidly across the globe. The absence of vaccines and inadequate vector control measures leads to further expansion of dengue in many regions globally. Hence, the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of dengue will help to understand the molecular basis of the disease and the genes responsible for the disease progression.

Ochrobactrum intermedium septicemia.

Ochrobactrum species are emerging Gram-negative, non-fermenting bacteria with low virulence. Infection with the Ochrobactrum species is commonly nosocomial and has been reported in patients with indwelling medical devices and implants. Among the species of Ochrobactrum infecting humans, Ochrobactrum anthropic and Ochrobactrum intermedium are the commonest ones.

Prevalence of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders among Fishermen Population in and around Pondicherry, South India - A Cross Sectional Study.

Context: In India fishing is a traditional occupation second only to agriculture. Fishermen are a marginalized group with high levels of occupational stress predisposing them to develop addictions to tobacco, alcohol, and areca nut chewing. These habits are well-established causes of developing oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer.

Unveiling the anti-glioma potential of a marine derivative, Fucoidan: its synergistic cytotoxicity with Temozolomide-an in vitro and in silico experimental study.

Unlabelled: Glioma coined as a "butterfly" tumor associated with a dismal prognosis. Marine algal compounds with the richest sources of bioactive components act as significant anti-tumor therapeutics. However, there is a paucity of studies conducted on Fucoidan to enhance the anti-glioma efficacy of Temozolomide.

Multispectroscopic Investigations of the Binding Interaction between Polyethylene Microplastics and Human Hemoglobin.

In this investigation, different multispectroscopic analytical techniques have been used to explore the interaction between polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and human hemoglobin (HHb), an oxygen carrier in the human blood circulatory system. Ultraviolet-visible absorption studies have demonstrated that HHb molecules may interact with PE-MPs, and thermal melting studies have indicated that PE-MPs have a stabilizing effect on HHb. Further circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies have revealed the distinct changes in HHb's secondary structures caused by the formation of the HHb-PE-MP binding complex.

Application of Boston Compensation Rules in the Development of a Stepwise Approach for Novel Diagnostic Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation Method.

Background: Arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation plays an indispensable role in health care. The total changes in hydrogen ion concentration or actual pH are due to both the changes in respiratory and non-respiratory (metabolic) components affecting the hydrogen ion concentration or pH in the acid-base homeostasis. Using this concept, an innovative ABG interpretation method was developed and published by the current author.

Exploring the Structural Importance of the C3=C4 Double Bond in Plant Alkaloids Harmine and Harmaline on Their Binding Interactions with Hemoglobin.

Harmine and harmaline are two structurally similar heterocyclic β-carboline plant alkaloids with various therapeutic properties, having a slight structural difference in the C3=C4 double bond. In the present study, we have reported the nature of the interaction between hemoglobin (Hb) with harmine and harmaline by employing several multispectroscopic, calorimetric, and molecular docking approaches. Fluorescence spectroscopic studies have shown stronger interaction of harmine with Hb compared to that of almost structurally similar harmaline.

Quantitative assessment of ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block - A comparison of a single-point versus two-point injection technique: A randomised controlled, double-blinded trial.

Background And Aims: Sciatic nerve block at the popliteal level for lower limb procedures provides unpredictable success rates even with ultrasonographic (USG) guidance. This study aimed to compare USG-guided single-point versus two-point injection techniques

Methods: Sixty patients posted for foot surgeries under USG-guided sciatic nerve block were randomised into Group Single Point, receiving a single injection of 20 mL of 1.5% lignocaine with adrenaline just proximal to the sciatic nerve bifurcation, and Group Double Point, receiving two injections of 10 mL of 1.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A Useful Method to Explore the Interactions of Small Molecule Ligands with DNA Structures.

Small molecule ligands-DNA interactions have recently received a lot of attention in the fields of life sciences, medicine, and chemical sciences. To decode these interactions, many strategies have been developed. DNA is the primary target for a wide range of drugs that may interact with DNA in particular or non-specific ways and impact its activities.

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Prognostic Indicator of Cardiovascular Disease in Severe Non-Diabetic COVID-19 Patients.

Objective: The long-term extrapulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 after recovery from the critical stage at the intensive care unit (ICU) are still unclear. Some post-COVID symptoms are prevalent even after a one-year follow-up. To explore the relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and hyperglycemia with cardiovascular diseases in non-diabetic COVID-19 patients.

Burden, trend and determinants of various forms of domestic violence among reproductive age-group women in India: findings from nationally representative surveys.

Background: Violence, a notable human rights concern, has a public health impact across the globe. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of domestic violence among ever-married women aged 18-49 years in India.

Methods: Secondary data analysis with National Family Health Survey 5, 2019-21 data (NFHS-5) was conducted.

Novel Design of Perovskite-Structured Neodymium Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticle-Embedded Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites as Efficient Active Materials of Energy Storage Devices.

In recent years, electrochemical supercapacitors are expected to represent the future of energy storage device technology. Specifically, the excellent electrochemical performance with long cycle life, high energy, and power density is considered an essential criterion for commercial applications. Herein, we constructed a novel composite of neodymium cobalt oxide-encapsulated graphene oxide nanocomposite (NCO/GO) via a simple and robust method for a symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) device.