Aetiological profile of acute encephalitis syndrome in Assam, India, during a 4-year period from 2019 to 2022.

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health concern in India as the aetiology remains unknown in the majority of cases with the current testing algorithm. We aimed to study the incidence of Japanese encephalitis (JE) and determine the aetiology of non-JE AES cases to develop an evidence-based testing algorithm. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were tested for Japanese encephalitis virus by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multiplex real-time PCR was done for Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile, Zika, Enterovirus, Epstein Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Adenovirus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpesvirus 6, Parechovirus, Parvovirus B19, Varicella Zoster Virus, Scrub typhus, Rickettsia species, Leptospira, Salmonella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Plasmodium species and by ELISA for Mumps and Measles virus. Of the 3173 CSF samples, 461 (14.5%) were positive for JE. Of the 334 non-JE AES cases, 66.2% viz. Scrub typhus (25.7%), Mumps (19.5%), Measles (4.2%), Parvovirus B19 (3.9%) Plasmodium (2.7%), HSV 1 and 2 (2.4%), EBV and Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.1% each), Salmonella and HHV 6 (1.2% each) were predominant. Hence, an improved surveillance system and our suggested expanded testing algorithm can improve the diagnosis of potentially treatable infectious agents of AES in India.

Assessing the impact of extracellular matrix fiber orientation on breast cancer cellular metabolism.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex microenvironment that modulates cell behavior and cell fate. Changes in ECM composition and architecture have been correlated with development, differentiation, and disease progression in various pathologies, including breast cancer [1]. Studies have shown that aligned fibers drive a pro-metastatic microenvironment, promoting the transformation of mammary epithelial cells into invasive ductal carcinoma via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) [2]. The impact of ECM orientation on breast cancer metabolism, however, is largely unknown. Here, we employ two non-invasive imaging techniques, fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and intensity-based multiphoton microscopy, to assess the metabolic states of cancer cells cultured on ECM-mimicking nanofibers in a random and aligned orientation. By tracking the changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, as well as expression levels of metastatic markers, we reveal how ECM fiber orientation alters cancer metabolism and EMT progression. Our study indicates that aligned cellular microenvironments play a key role in promoting metastatic phenotypes of breast cancer as evidenced by a more glycolytic metabolic signature on nanofiber scaffolds of aligned orientation compared to scaffolds of random orientation. This finding is particularly relevant for subsets of breast cancer marked by high levels of collagen remodeling (e.g. pregnancy associated breast cancer), and may serve as a platform for predicting clinical outcomes within these subsets [3-6].

Quantifying variations associated with dental caries reveals disparity in effect allele frequencies across diverse populations.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries (DC) is a multifaceted oral condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent advancements in genotyping and sequencing technologies, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have helped researchers to identify numerous genetic variants associated with DC, but their prevalence and significance across diverse global populations remain poorly understood as most of the studies were conducted in European populations, and very few were conducted in Asians specifically in Indians. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the genetic affinity of effect alleles associated with DC to understand the genetic relationship between global populations with respect to the Indian context. METHODOLOGY: This present study used an empirical approach in which variants associated with DC susceptibility were selected. These variants were identified and annotated using the GWAS summary. The genetic affinity was evaluated using Fst. RESULTS: The effect of allele frequencies among different populations was examined, revealing variations in allele distribution. African populations exhibited higher frequencies of specific risk alleles, whereas East Asian and European populations displayed distinct profiles. South Asian populations showed a unique genetic cluster. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasises the complex genetic landscape of DC and highlights the need for population-specific research as well as validation of GWAS-identified markers in Indians before defining them as established candidate genes.

Novel antiviral approaches for Marburg: a promising therapeutics in the pipeline.

Marburg virus disease (MVD) presents a significant global health threat, lacking effective antivirals and with current supportive care offering limited therapeutic options. This mini review explores the emerging landscape of novel antiviral strategies against MVD, focusing on promising therapeutics currently in the development pipeline. We delve into direct-acting antiviral approaches, including small molecule inhibitors targeting viral entry, replication, and assembly, alongside nucleic acid antisense and RNA interference strategies. Host-targeting antivirals are also considered, encompassing immune modulators like interferons and cytokine/chemokine modulators, broad-spectrum antivirals, and convalescent plasma and antibody-based therapies. The paper then examines preclinical and clinical development for the novel therapeutics, highlighting in vitro and in vivo models for antiviral evaluation, safety and efficacy assessments, and the critical stages of clinical trials. Recognizing the challenges of drug resistance and viral escape, the mini review underscores the potential of combination therapy strategies and emphasizes the need for rapid diagnostic tools to optimize treatment initiation. Finally, we discuss the importance of public health preparedness and equitable access to these promising therapeutics in achieving effective MVD control and global health security. This mini review presents a comprehensive overview of the burgeoning field of MVD antivirals, highlighting the potential of these novel approaches to reshape the future of MVD treatment and prevention.

Early Reimplantation of Open Total Extruded Talus: A Case Report.

Introduction: Traumatic open total extrusion of talus without soft-tissue attachment and not associated with surrounding fracture is a very rare injury which requires very high energy impact. In literature, optimal treatment protocols are yet to be established. A few options described in literature are talectomy and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis or reimplantation of talus which may be immediate or after some interval. Case Report: A 28-year-old female suffered road traffic accident and had total open extrusion of talus without soft-tissue attachment, and we managed it with thorough debridement of the wound, saline irrigation, and immediate reimplantation of the talus with stabilization by delta frame external fixator. Proper pre- and post-operative antibiotic coverage was given as per protocol. We did not face post-operative infection, wound complication, and until 12 months followed up, there are some signs of avascular necrosis of the talus but the good functional outcome. Conclusion: With this case experience, we suggest that this is the valid treatment protocol for total extrusion of the talus, and it will provide a better hindfoot mechanism, heel height, and the patient can resume his/her daily routine activity as early as possible.

Chunky Mitral Annular Calcification: Caseoma or a Tumor?

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is relatively common in clinical practice. Females are more often affected than males. Patients with end-stage renal disease have MAC relatively more commonly than the general population. Patients with MAC often develop conduction system disturbances, including advanced atrioventricular blocks. They are also more likely to develop various arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Caseous mitral annulus calcification is a variant of MAC that often looks like a cardiac tumor on an echocardiogram and needs to be differentiated.

Origins and diversity of pan-isotype human bone marrow plasma cells.

Bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) produce durable, protective IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies, and in some cases, pro-allergic IgE antibodies, but their properties and sources are unclear. We charted single BMPC transcriptional and clonal heterogeneity in food-allergic and non-allergic individuals across CD19 protein expression given its inverse correlation to BMPC longevity. Transcriptional and clonal diversity revealed distinct functional profiles. Additionally, distribution of somatic hypermutation and intraclonal antibody sequence variance suggest that CD19low and CD19high BMPCs arise from recalled memory and germinal center B cells, respectively. Most IgE BMPCs were from peanut-allergic individuals; two out of 32 from independent donors bound peanut antigens in vitro and in vivo. These findings shed light on BMPC origins and highlight the bone marrow as a source of pathogenic IgE in peanut allergy.

A comprehensive review on anaerobic digestion with focus on potential feedstocks, limitations associated and recent advances for biogas production.

With the escalating energy demand to accommodate the growing population and its needs along with the responsibility to mitigate climate change and its consequences, anaerobic digestion (AD) has become the potential approach to sustainably fulfil our demands and tackle environmental issues. Notably, a lot of attention has been drawn in recent years towards the production of biogas around the world in waste-to-energy perspective. Nevertheless, the progress of AD is hindered by several factors such as operating parameters, designing and the performance of AD reactors. Furthermore, the full potential of this approach is not fully realised yet due the dependence on people's acceptance and government policies. This article focuses on the different types of feedstocks and their biogas production potential. The feedstock selection is the basic and most important step for accessing the biogas yield. Furthermore, different stages of the AD process, design and the configuration of the biogas digester/reactors have been discussed to get better insight into process. The important aspect to talk about this process is its limitations associated which have been focused upon in detail. Biogas is considered to attain the sustainable development goals (SDG) proposed by United Nations. Therefore, the huge focus should be drawn towards its improvements to counter the limitation and makes it available to all the rural communities in developing countries and set-up the pilot scale AD plants in both developing and developed countries. In this regard, this article talks about the improvements and futures perspective related to the AD process and biogas enhancement.

Encapsulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRD7 in sub-micron pullulan fibres by spray drying: Maximizing viability with prebiotic and thermal protectants.

Pullulan was used as the wall material for microencapsulation of L. plantarum CRD7 by spray drying, while isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMO) was used as prebiotic. Also, the effect of different thermal protectants on survival rate during microencapsulation was evaluated. Taguchi orthogonal array design showed that pullulan at 14 % concentration, IMO at 30 % concentration and whey protein isolate at 20 % rate were the optimized wall material, prebiotic and thermal protectant, respectively for microencapsulation of L. plantarum. FESEM images revealed that the spray-dried encapsulates were fibrous similar to those produce by electrospinning, while fluorescence microscopy ascertained that most of the probiotic cells were alive and intact after microencapsulation. The adsorption-desorption isotherm was of Type II and the encapsulate had specific surface area of 1.92 m2/g and mean pore diameter of 15.12 nm. The typical amide II and III bands of the bacterial proteins were absent in the FTIR spectra, suggestive of adequate encapsulation. DSC thermogram showed shifting of melting peaks to wider temperature range due to interactions between the probiotic and wall materials. IMO at 30 % (w/w) along with WPI at 20 % concentration provided the highest storage stability and the lowest rate of cell death of L. plantarum after microencapsulation. Acid and bile salt tolerance results confirmed that microencapsulated L. plantarum could sustain the harsh GI conditions with >7.5 log CFU/g viability. After microencapsulation, L. plantarum also possessed the ability to ferment milk into curd with pH of 4.62.

Spillover of Newcastle disease virus to Himalayan Griffon vulture: a possible food-based transmission.

The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) affects wild and domesticated bird species, including commercial poultry. Although the diversity of NDV in domestic chickens is well documented, limited information is available about Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks in other bird species. We report an annotated sequence of NDV/Vulture/Borjuri/01/22, an avirulent strain of NDV reported from Borjuri, Northeast India, in Himalayan Griffon vulture. The complete genome is 15,186 bases long with a fusion protein (F) cleavage site 112GRQGR↓L117. The phylogenetic analysis based on the F protein gene and the whole genome sequence revealed that the isolate from the vulture belongs to genotype II, sharing significant homology with vaccine strain LaSota. The study highlights the possible spillover of the virus from domestic to wild species through the food chain.

Ultra-Wideband Vertical Transition in Coplanar Stripline for Ultra-High-Speed Digital Interfaces.

A design method for an ultra-wideband coplanar-stripline-based vertical transition that can be used for ultra-high-speed digital interfaces is proposed. A conventional via structure, based on a differential line (DL), inherently possesses performance limitations (<10 GHz) due to difficulties in maintaining constant line impedance and smooth electric field transformation, in addition to the effects of signal skews, FR4 fiber weave, and unbalanced EM interferences. DL-based digital interfaces may not meet the demands of ultra-high-speed digital data transmission required for the upcoming 6G communications. The use of a coplanar stripline (CPS), a type of planar balanced line (BL), for the vertical transition, along with the ultra-wideband DL-to-CPS transition, mostly removes the inherent and unfavorable issues of the DL and enables ultra-high-speed digital data transmission. The design process of the transition is simplified using the analytical design formulas, derived using the conformal mapping method, of the transition. The characteristic line impedances of the transition are calculated and found to be in close agreement with the results obtained from EM simulations. Utilizing these results, the CPS-based vertical transition, maintaining the characteristic line impedance of 100 Ω, is designed and fabricated. The measured results confirm its ultra-wideband characteristics, with a maximum of 1.6 dB insertion loss and more than 10 dB return loss in the frequency range of DC to 30 GHz. Therefore, the proposed CPS-based vertical transition offers a significantly wider frequency bandwidth, i.e., more than three times that of conventional DL-based via structures.

Study of Head Trauma through Computed Tomography.

Objective: Primary brain injuries, which are the result of severe head trauma and cannot be prevented, are always catastrophic and fatal. Yet, if diagnostic and therapeutic steps are taken promptly after a craniocerebral injury, further brain insults may be prevented and the victim's death can be avoided within 24 hours. Materials and Methods: Source of data, sample size, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, statistical methods. Results: One hundred individuals with confirmed cumputer tomography (CT) scan results of severe head trauma participated in this analysis. Seventy men and thirty women accounted for the total number of patients. The research included 70% men and 30% women. The M/F ratio is 2.3:1. Males between the ages of 21 and 30 (a total of 21 patients) had the highest rate of head injury in our analysis. Males had a lower incidence overall, with nine cases in the 0-10 age range, 11 cases in the 11-20 age range, five cases in the 41-50 age range, three cases in the 51-60 age range, and four cases in patients older than 61. Similarly, eight of the female patients were in the 21-30 age range. There were also four patients between the ages of 0 and 10, four between the ages of 11 and 20, two between the ages of 41 and 50, five between the ages of 51 and 60, and three among those older than 61. Summary and Conclusion: Men were more likely than women to sustain a head injury. The majority of the study population consisted of patients between the ages of 21 and 30 and 31 and 40. Injuries were found to most often occur in car crashes.

Investigating the Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Case-Control Study.

Background: This study aims to explore the connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) through a case-control investigation. OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder that affects breathing during sleep, whereas TMD involves pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint. Understanding any potential association between these two conditions could contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 participants were included in both the OSA group and the control group. Participants with diagnosed OSA constituted the OSA group, whereas individuals without OSA formed the control group. TMD symptoms were assessed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the prevalence of TMD symptoms between the two groups. Results: In the OSA group, 36 out of 50 participants exhibited TMD symptoms, whereas in the control group, 18 out of 50 participants displayed such symptoms. The calculated P value was found to be 0.023, indicating a statistically significant association between OSA and TMD. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a notable association between OSA and TMD. Individuals with OSA are more likely to experience TMD symptoms compared to those without OSA. This underscores the importance of considering TMD symptoms in individuals with OSA and vice versa for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management.

Non-encapsulated, encapsulated, and lyophilized probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri SW23 influenced the growth and gut health in calves.

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of non-encapsulated, air-dried microencapsulated, and lyophilized microencapsulated probiotics in indigenous cattle calves (Bos indicus). Twenty-four (5-7 days old) indigenous cattle calves were selected and assigned into four groups, with six calves in each as follows: control (CON), fed milk and basal diet alone, and treatment groups supplemented with non-encapsulated (NEC), air-dried microencapsulated (AEC) and lyophilized microencapsulated (LEC) probiotic L. reuteri SW23 at 108 CFU/head/day in skim milk as a carrier provided for 60 days. The animals were divided into four groups, adopting a complete randomized design, and the effects were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. Probiotics supplementation increased (p < 0.05) body weight gain (kg), average daily gain, and structural growth measurements in calves of all treatment groups. Dry matter intake (g/d), feed conversion efficiency, and fecal counts of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria were also increased in the treatment groups compared to CON. The fecal consistency index was highest in CON (0.70 ± 0.03), followed by NEC (0.68 ± 0.01), AEC (0.66 ± 0.02), and LEC (0.65 ± 0.02). Fecal pH and ammonia levels were reduced (p < 0.05) in the probiotic-fed groups compared to CON, with a concomitant increase in fecal lactate, acetate, and propionate levels. In addition, cell-mediated and humoral immunity were significantly increased in supplemented groups as compared to CON. Thus, it can be concluded that supplementation of the probiotics in microencapsulated/non-encapsulated forms to neonatal calves had a variety of positive effects on their health, including better performance, improved gut health, and a lower fecal consistency index. Moreover, among all supplemented groups, the lyophilized microencapsulated group outperformed air-dried microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated groups in terms of ADG, DMI, and gut health.

Prevalence of breast cancer in rural population of Jaipur: a survey-based observational study.

Breast cancer, a global health concern predominantly affecting women, recorded 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths in 2020. Alarmingly, projections suggest that by 2040, there could be over 3 million new cases and 1 million deaths. To assess breast cancer prevalence in 24 rural villages within a 60 km radius of NIMS Hospital, Tala Mod, Jaipur, Rajasthan, North India 303,121. A study involving 2023 participants conducted initial screenings, and positive cases underwent further tests, including ultrasound, mammography, and biopsy. SPSSv28 analysed collected data. Among 2023 subjects, 3 screened positive for breast lumps. Subsequent clinical examination and biopsy identified 1 normal case and 2 with breast cancer, resulting in a prevalence proportion of 0.0009 or 98 per 100,000. This study helps fill gap in breast cancer prevalence data for rural Rajasthan. The results highlight a concerning prevalence of breast cancer in the rural area near NIMS hospital, emphasizing the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and better healthcare access. Challenges like limited resources, awareness programs, and delayed diagnosis contribute to this high incidence. To address this, comprehensive approach is necessary, including improved screening programs and healthcare facilities in rural areas. Prioritizing rural healthcare and evidence-based strategies can reduce the burden of breast cancer and improve health outcomes.

Does presence of complex translocations involving BCR::ABL1 in chronic myeloid leukemia affect the response rate to tyrosine kinase inhibitors? A systematic review of the literature.

Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome (9;22)(q34;q11) comprises 90-95 % of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while 5-10 % of CML have translocations involving three or more chromosomes. The outcome of treating patients harbouring complex Ph-positive cytogenetics with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is unclear. In the present systematic review, we aim to summarise the response of patients with complex Ph-positive cytogenetics to treatment with TKI therapy. We collated all available literature from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science database, Cochrane library, Scopus and Embase (up until January 31st, 2024), which describe cases of patients with CML, harbouring complex Ph-positive variations (three and four-way translocations), and summarised their response to TKI therapy. The studies were screened for the following criteria: documented TKI intervention and outcome (whether CR was achieved). Studies that did not report the same, were excluded. Additionally, we report a case from our center of a 55-year-old patient with CML, positive for the Ph-chromosome, harbouring a three-way translocation involving chromosome 15 i.e. 46XX, t(9;15;22) (q34;p11;q11). Identification of BCR::ABL and involvement of chromosome 15 was carried out using conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 15 studies were included from which a total of 87 cases were covered. Overall, we identified 38 unique complex three- and four-way translocations across 87 Ph-positive cases and found that 85 patients with complex Ph-positive cytogenetics achieved complete remission upon treatment and did not appear to have a lesser response to TKI therapy.

Single nucleotide polymorphism-based biomarker in primary hypertension.

Primary hypertension is a multiplex and multifactorial disease influenced by various strong components including genetics. Extensive research such as Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies have revealed various single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to hypertension, providing insights into the genetic basis of the condition. This review summarizes the current status of SNP research in primary hypertension, including examples of hypertension-related SNPs, their location, function, and frequency in different populations. The potential clinical implications of SNP research for primary hypertension management are also discussed, including disease risk prediction, personalized medicine, mechanistic understanding, and lifestyle modifications. Furthermore, this review highlights emerging technologies and methodologies that have the potential to revolutionize the vast understanding of the basis of genetics in primary hypertension. Gene editing holds the potential to target and correct any kind of genetic mutations that contribute to the development of hypertension or modify genes involved in blood pressure regulation to prevent or treat the condition. Advances in computational biology and machine learning enable researchers to analyze large datasets and identify complex genetic interactions contributing to hypertension risk. In conclusion, SNP research in primary hypertension is rapidly evolving with emerging technologies and methodologies that have the potential to transform the knowledge about genetic basis related to the condition. These advances hold promise for personalized prevention and treatment strategies tailored to an individual's genetic profile ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.