Prevalence of internet addiction and its relation with depression, anxiety and stress in medical students of Pakistan.

Internet addiction (IA) is broadly defined as a non-chemical, behavioral addiction, which involves human-machine interaction, bringing in negative impacts in the person's mental and physical health equally and affecting his/her general wellbeing. The main aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of IA and its relation with depression, anxiety and stress in medical students. This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, from medical students all across Pakistan.

Integrated analysis of blood microbiome and metabolites reveals key biomarkers and functional pathways in myocardial infarction.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) has been linked to changes in the blood microbiome, yet the interplay between microbiome and metabolome remains poorly understood. This study integrates blood microbiome profiling and metabolomic analysis to uncover biomarkers and pathways associated with MI.

Methods: Using 16 S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics, blood samples from 24 MI patients and 24 healthy controls were analyzed.

Development of 2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole-Based Room-Temperature Fluorescent Nematic Liquid Crystals.

Fluorescent liquid crystals (LCs) have attracted considerable interest owing to their unique combination of fluidity, anisotropy, and intrinsic emission. However, most reported fluorescent LCs exhibit high phase transition temperatures and/or smectic phases, limiting their practical applications. To address this, we designed and synthesized a series of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BTD)-based fluorescent nematic liquid crystals incorporating donor (D) or acceptor (A) groups to form D-A-D or D-A-A structures.

Real-World Outcomes of PET-Adapted Treatment for Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Study From a Single Tertiary Care Center.

Background  Classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (CHL) is frequently treated using a positron emission tomography (PET)-directed approach, as demonstrated in the Response-Adapted Therapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma (RATHL) trial. This study aimed to compare real-world patient outcomes with those reported in the RATHL trial for individuals with advanced-stage disease. Methods This retrospective study included 169 adult patients aged 18 years and older (range 20-66 years).

Influence of Different Levels of Ginger-Derived Liquid Protease on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Immune Organs and Gut pH in Broiler Chickens.

This study assessed the effects of ginger-derived liquid protease (GDPE) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut health, and histology in broiler chickens (n = 360) over 35 days in a completely randomized design. Four dietary treatments were provided: a control diet and three test groups with varying GDPE concentrations (0.25 ml/kg, 0.

WUSCHEL: The essential regulator of the Arabidopsis shoot Apical Meristem.

Plant longevity depends on reservoirs of slowly proliferating stem cells, where a reduced rate of division is essential for maintaining DNA integrity. Aboveground stem cells are localized in the central zone of the shoot meristems, whose size is controlled by the transcription factor WUS. This review focuses on the mechanism of WUS function and the regulation of its expression.

Role of nicorandil in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a major risk for patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched through May 2024 to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of nicorandil administration in patients following CAG or PCI. Outcomes of interest included the CIN incidence, major adverse events, serum creatinine, serum cystatin C, BUN and eGFR.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of stress-responsive genes in Chlorella vulgaris.

Background: Chlorella vulgaris is a significant green alga that has a role in the bioremediation of environmental pollutants, especially heavy metals. Therefore, to meet the emerging needs of sustainable bioremediation, it is the need of the hour to improve the bioremediation potential of Chlorella vulgaris. Stress-related genes play significant roles in homeostasis and stress management in algal species, including C.

Metasurface-Loaded Biodegradable Mobile Phone Back Cover for Enhanced Radiation Performance.

This article introduces a novel biodegradable metasurface-loaded mobile phone back cover designed to reduce electromagnetic exposure and enhance antenna performance. The cover operates across the low GHz band (2-8 GHz) and the millimeter-wave band (22-25.6 GHz), utilizing polylactic acid as an eco-friendly substrate.

Identification of a novel mutation in the gene in low phytate Basmati rice mutant and development of CAPS marker for marker-assisted breeding.

Low phytate level is a desirable trait because it promotes mineral bioavailability and thus offers a solution to tackle mineral deficiencies. The objectives of the present study were to characterize low phytate (lpa) Basmati rice mutants for the identification of novel mutations in target gene(s) and to develop a PCR-based CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence) marker for low phytate Basmati rice. For this purpose, cultivar Super Basmati (Q4) was irradiated with gamma rays (Co source) and three mutants named Q1 (lpa-5-9), Q2 (lpa-9-13), and Q3 (lpa-59-14) were isolated.

Blood transfusions in craniotomy for tumor resection: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Background: Blood transfusions (BT) are often needed in neurosurgical procedures, especially craniotomies for tumor resections, due to risks of anemia, ischemic brain injury, and hemorrhage. However, BT may increase the risk of perioperative complications. This study aimed to determine the incidence, associated factors, and outcomes of BT in patients undergoing craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection.

Modern Plant Breeding for Achieving Global Food Security.

Modern plant breeding technologies have played a central role in addressing global food security challenges. These technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multi-omics analysis, genome-wide association analysis (GWAS), genome editing and transgenics, machine learning, and speed breeding, have been improving crop yield and quality as well as crop adaptability under climate change conditions, such as tolerance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, identification, searching, assessment, and combining desirable integrated (morphological, physiological, and biochemical) attributes have been achieved with greater accuracy, efficiency, time, and cost-effectiveness, all of which are essential to meeting global food demands.

A Novel Energy Replenishment Algorithm to Increase the Network Performance of Rechargeable Wireless Sensor Networks.

The emerging wireless energy transfer technology enables sensor nodes to maintain perpetual operation. However, maximizing the network performance while preserving short charging delay is a great challenge. In this work, a Wireless Mobile Charger (MC) and a directional charger (DC) were deployed to transmit wireless energy to the sensor node to improve the network's throughput.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF ORAL AZITHROMYCIN VERSUS OTHER ANTIMICROBIAL DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF TYPHOID PATIENTS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.

Background: Typhoid is a major health concern. Drug-resistant cases of typhoid have given rise to new debates. Azithromycin has shown adequate results.

Nuclear integration of MYB36 and APX-1 genes impart heat tolerance in wheat.

Elevated temperatures during grain filling stage, exceeding the optimal range by 3-4 °C, not only results in a substantial yield reduction in wheat by 10-50% but activates disease and insect infestation. In this research, we introduced heat-tolerant MYB36 and APX-1 gene cassettes into wheat, employing an efficient Agrobacterium mediated transformation protocol, demonstrating higher transformation efficiency. The study encompassed the assembly of MYB36 and APX-1 gene cassettes, and confirmation of gene products in Agrobacterium, followed by the transformation of the MYB36 and APX-1 genes into wheat explants.

Motivators and Barriers to Career Choices in Community Medicine Among Medical Students in South Punjab, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background Community medicine plays a vital role in public health, yet research on medical students' career choices in this field is limited, especially in underserved areas like South Punjab, Pakistan. This study explores the factors that influence undergraduate medical students' interest in pursuing a career in community medicine. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 305 fourth- and final-year undergraduate medical students from various colleges in South Punjab.

Genome editing for improvement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in cereals.

Global agricultural production must quadruple by 2050 to fulfil the needs of a growing global population, but climate change exacerbates the difficulty. Cereals are a very important source of food for the world population. Improved cultivars are needed, with better resistance to abiotic stresses like drought, salt, and increasing temperatures, and resilience to biotic stressors like bacterial and fungal infections, and pest infestation.