Patterns and influencing factors of smokeless tobacco use among pregnant and lactating mothers in urban slums of bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption has several adverse impacts on pregnancy and child health outcomes, particularly among women in low-income settings. SLT use during pregnancy heightens the risks, like preterm births, stillbirth, babies with low birth weight, and small for gestational age. The present qualitative study explored the patterns and contributing factors associated with SLT use behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers in slum settings.

Checkpoint immunotherapy is associated with preferential activation of tumor antigen-specific CD4 T cells in MDS.

A growing body of literature suggests that the efficacy of DNA hypomethylating agents are mediated via activation of antitumor immune mechanisms. Based upon this hypothesis, early phase trials combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with azacitidine in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were undertaken, but clinical and immunologic efficacy have proven disappointing. In these studies, the lack of antigen specificity made systematic assessment of the anti-MDS immune response challenging.

Herbal tobacco cessation products on Indian e-commerce platforms: an emerging unregulated market with unsubstantiated health claims.

Background: Herbal tobacco cessation products (HTCPs), marketed with claims to support tobacco or nicotine cessation, are increasingly sold online in low-income and middle-income countries. However, there is little regulatory oversight or evidence on their safety and effectiveness. This study assessed the availability, affordability, claims and regulation of HTCPs on Indian e-commerce platforms.

Comprehensive tumor-immune profiling reveals mediators of paradoxical immune sensitivity in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid features (sRCC) is a highly aggressive tumor type yet preferentially responds to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). To better understand microenvironmental mediators of this paradoxical immune sensitivity, we performed single-cell analyses of human sRCC tumors compared against clear cell RCC (ccRCC), with validation spatially and in bulk transcriptomic datasets totaling over 3,000 RCC tumors. We describe a robust immune network in sRCC using these orthogonal approaches: tumor-infiltrating T cells in sRCC are more activated, and subsequently exhausted, while being enriched for CXCL13 expression.

Deciphering neutrophil dynamics in the focal lesion tumor microenvironment to overcome immunosuppression in multiple myeloma.

Understanding the roles of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a promising strategy to identify novel targets to counteract the immunosuppressive barriers protecting multiple myeloma (MM). Neutrophils are a new cancer research focus due to their potential to reduce the efficacy of immune-based therapies. This study aimed to deepen understanding of neutrophil function in MM by analyzing freshly isolated myeloid cells from paired focal lesions (FL) and bone marrow (BM) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunofluorescence imaging, and functional assays.

Spousal Concordance in Overweight and Obesity among Indian Couples: A Nationwide Analysis of Socioeconomic and Dietary Determinants.

Objective: This study examines the level and determinants of spousal concordance in overweight/obesity among married couples in India.

Background: The rising prevalence of overweight/obesity is a growing public health concern globally. While spousal concordance in obesity is recognized in developed countries, less is known about this phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries.

Cricket, commerce, and public health: promotion of tobacco, alcohol, and high in fat, sugar, and salt products.

Background: Increasing incidences of non-communicable diseases globally present a major public health challenge, with tobacco, alcohol, and ultra processed food products high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) contributing significantly to this epidemic. Despite regulatory efforts, loopholes persist, allowing companies to promote such products through surrogate advertisements and new media platforms. This study investigates advertisements aired during the Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on the Over-the-Top (OTT) platform.

Strategic Implementation of Competency-Based Electives: Key Outcomes and Lessons Learned from Integrating Elective Modules into the Medical Curriculum at AIIMS Patna.

Implementing competency-based electives, aligned with the National Medical Commission's guidelines, transformed medical education at a leading institution. Initiated by a dedicated task force, this strategic integration involved meticulous planning and active stakeholder engagement. Comprehensive Faculty Development Programs prepared faculty to adopt and teach these new modules effectively, significantly boosting their confidence and pedagogical skills.

'Family Matters': A multilevel analysis of household-level clustering of overweight and obesity among adults in India.

Objectives: To examine the clustering of overweight and obesity among adults within Indian households.

Study Design: Nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) were analyzed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 15-54 years.

Evaluation of Noninvasive Adjuncts for Early Detection of Oral Cancer in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Development of Risk-Based Management Strategies: Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) constitute the most important precursors of oral cancer. Histopathological examination of a biopsy from a clinically suspicious lesion is still the gold standard for the diagnosis of oral cancer. Adjunctive techniques such as autofluorescence, toluidine blue (TB), and others have been evaluated among high-risk individuals such as chronic tobacco chewers or in patients with suspicious lesions.

Genetic Analysis of Choroideremia-Related Rab Escort Proteins.

Choroideremia is a rare X-linked recessive retinal disorder characterized by progressive vision loss caused by retinal degeneration resulting from mutations in the gene, which encodes Rab escort protein 1 (REP-1). In humans and mice, the Rab escort protein (REP) family consists of two members, REP-1 and REP-2, with REP-2 hypothesized to compensate for REP-1 deficiency in tissues outside the eye in choroideremia. In this study, we conducted a systematic mutational analysis of the mouse orthologs of REP-1 and REP-2.

Comparison of ropivacaine alone versus dexmedetomidine or ketamine as an adjuvant for pectoral type II nerve blocks in patients undergoing mastectomy - A randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of ketamine and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant with ropivacaine 0.2% in pectoral nerve type II block (PECS-II) in modified radical mastectomy. The primary outcome of the study was the time to first rescue analgesia postoperatively.

Fusarium spp. induce diseases in ginger: nature of pathogen, pathogenesis and management.

Ginger is a significant ethnobotanical and pharmacological crop consisting of potential bioactive constituents responsible for their nutraceutical value, they can have anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, antimicrobial, pain alleviation, antitumor, antioxidant and protective effects on respiratory disease, and age-related disease. Ginger possesses a substantial value, but its production and general quality are greatly harmed by various biotic and abiotic stressors, to which it is highly susceptible. Fungi are the most damaging disease-causing agents, one of the devastating fungal pathogens in ginger is Fusarium spp.

Improving CryoEM maps of symmetry-mismatched macromolecular assemblies: A case study on the flagellar motor.

Advances in cryo-electron microscopy instrumentation and sample preparation have significantly improved the ability to collect quality data for biomolecular structures. However, achieving resolutions consistent with data quality remains challenging in structures with symmetry mismatches. As a case study, the bacterial flagellar motor is a large complex essential for bacterial chemotaxis and virulence.

Exploring the Realm of Physical Activity in Pregnant Indian Women: Understanding Their Knowledge, Practice, and Obstacles.

Background The study aimed to assess the knowledge of pregnant Indian women about antenatal exercises (ANEs), the challenges they face, and the motivating factors influencing their participation in physical activities. The main objective and practical implication of this research were to evaluate the prevalence of physical activity (PA) among pregnant women in Indian hospitals while also identifying the specific challenges that hinder physical activity among this demographic. Hypothesis or aim The hypothesis suggested that the lack of knowledge contributes to low physical activity levels, and healthcare professionals can address this through education.

Correction: Psychological distress and burnout among healthcare worker during COVID-19 pandemic in India-A cross-sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Advancing Medical Manuscript Composition: Applications and Ethical Considerations.

Scientific medical manuscripts are fundamental to advancing research and enhancing patient care. With the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the process of composing such manuscripts has witnessed profound transformations. This review delves into the multifaceted role of AI in medical manuscript composition, analyzing its applications, benefits, drawbacks, and ethical implications.

Novel perspective of therapeutic modules to overcome motor and nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons, which leads to motor and non-motor symptoms that have a significant impact. The pathophysiology of PD is complex and involves environmental and genetic factors that contribute to alpha-synuclein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The current treatments of PD primarily focus on symptom management and have limitations in addressing disease progression and non-motor symptoms.

Photodynamic therapy reduces the burden of small ultraviolet-induced epidermal clones in human and mouse skin.

Actinic keratoses (AKs) and keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) arise from prolonged UV exposure, with precursor UV-induced clonal mutations (CMs) appearing in sun-damaged skin. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a common field treatment for AKs and early KCs, but its impact on subclinical CMs is unknown. This study examines CMs using targeted ultra-deep sequencing on epidermal samples.

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB)-induced plant adaptations to stresses: an updated review.

Plants and bacteria are co-evolving and interact with one another in a continuous process. This interaction enables the plant to assimilate the nutrients and acquire protection with the help of beneficial bacteria known as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). These beneficial bacteria naturally produce bioactive compounds that can assist plants' stress tolerance.

An updated view of bacterial endophytes as antimicrobial agents against plant and human pathogens.

Bacterial endophytes are a crucial component of the phytomicrobiome, playing an essential role in agriculture and industries. Endophytes are a rich source of bioactive compounds, serving as natural antibiotics that can be effective in combating antibiotic resistance in pathogens. These bacteria interact with host plants through various processes such as quorum sensing, chemotaxis, antibiosis, and enzymatic activity.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast carcinoma using fluorescein sodium and methylene blue dye: A validation study.

The availability of radioisotopes for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast carcinoma is limited in low- and middle-income countries and thus the need for other reliable tracers exists. We aimed to validate the effectiveness of fluorescein sodium (FS) together with methylene blue dye (MBD) for patients with node-negative early breast carcinoma in a prospective cross-sectional study. Patients underwent SLNB using FS and MBD followed by axillary dissection to validate results.