Recent Articles

In this research, (Poly lactic acid)(PLA)/Poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL) blends containing 2 and 3 phr glycidyl methacrylate (G MA) as a chain extender, and nanocomposites of compatibilized and uncompatibilized PLA/PCL containing 7 and 9 phr nanocalcium carbonate (NCC) were prepared via melt mixing. The crystallinity, tensile properties, morphology, permeabili ty and rheology of the samples were investigated. The results showed that using 25 wt. % of PCL leads to optimum proper ties of PLA/PCL blends. The crystallinity of this sample was increased from 5 (for neat PLA) to 27% in the sample contain ing both GMA and NCC. In addition, the elongation at break of the compatibilized blend is improved up to 180% in com parison to neat PLA. The result showed that the barrier properties of PLA/PCL blends were increased by the crystallinity en hancement of PLA and the intrinsic low permeability of PCL. It was found that the addition of 9 phr NCC to this sample promotes crystallinity and barrier properties, but causes lower tensile properties of blends. Finally, the use of NCC and GMA simultaneously results in lower crystallinity and barrier properties, which could be due to the phase separation of com ponents in the blends. The barrier properties of some samples like compatibilized nanocomposite in composition of 9 phr NCC are closer to PE and PP and thus suitable for replacing of oil based polymers

Background: Overweight and obesity is defined as the accumulation of excessive fat in the body of children. Even though childhood overweight and obesity are not yet supposed to be an emerging health issue in Ethiopia, their preva lence increases. The magnitude of overweight and obesity in the Southwest region, particularly in Bonga town is un known. Hence, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in Bonga town, Southwest Ethiopia

The incremental procedure for composite resin restorations is time-consuming and technique-sensitive, requiring the physi cian to have outstanding hand dexterity to achieve appropriate contacts and shapes. The "stamp technique" for posterior composite restoration is a technique for precisely replicating occlusal architecture but is less popular. When the tooth's pre operative anatomy is intact, this treatment is recommended. When caries has caused the occlusal surface to cavitate, an indi rect approach may be used. This case series goal is to explain the direct and indirect methods of fabricating and restoring stamps using various materials, with a focus on how dependable and predictable they are when done correctly and how much they aid the practitioner to perfection.

Crime scenes offer a wealth of tangible evidence crucial for reconstructing events, identifying suspects, and substantiating or refuting facts. Eyewear fragments, though often overlooked, constitute valuable forensic evidence. Eye power, indicative of the prescription required for corrective lenses, is determined by individual ocular characteristics such as eyeball shape, size, corneal curvature, and lens properties. This study aimed to explore the distinctiveness of eye powers and their potential for predicting biological profiles based on prescription eyewear. Additionally, it sought to examine correlations between eye power, gender, age, and other variables. Data from 100 samples (50 male, 50 female) were collected via an online Google form and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and statistical software. The sample was evenly distributed across age groups (10-34 and 35-59 years), with prevalent blood groups being B+VE and O+VE. Findings revealed higher eyewear usage among participants with both parents wearing glasses and minimal use among siblings. Myopia was more common than hy peropia, and participants reported significant daily screen time, correlating with poorer vision. A notable finding was a strong positive correlation between left and right lens powers, with no significant gender disparities. In conclusion, while eye power effectively distinguishes age groups, its potential for individual identification warrants further refinement and broader application. The study underscored the absence of a centralized database or web tool in India, suggesting the poten tial benefits of developing such resources to enhance forensic accuracy and accessibility. Limitations included a relatively small sample size and the use of non-standardized questionnaires, indicating opportunities for methodological improve ment in future research endeavors

A comprehensive study was conducted across educational institutions of District Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) to ascer tain the available parameters essential for maintaining health and hygiene among school children. A total of 41 educational institutions were randomly selected from all the 12 zones of District Anantnag, focusing on essential elements such as safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. The findings revealed significant gaps in maintaining effective health and hygiene in schools, with 61.9% of schools lacking a school health team and 65.8% facing challenges in water purification methods and equipment maintenance. Additionally, 31.7% lack proper sanitation facilities, 73.2% lack facilities for menstru al hygiene and 26.8% schools do not engage in regular cleaning activities. Furthermore, the study highlights concerns relat ed to dietary habits, as 43.9% of schools do not observe food or fruit days to promote healthy eating instead of junk food, and a substantial 92.7% fail to adhere to mandatory guidelines for laboratory testing of midday meals. Community involve ment, crucial for holistic development, is found to be lacking in 39% of schools. However, the awareness programmes re garding anti-smoking (97.6%), drug abuse (97.6%), personal hygiene (95.1%), consumption of balanced/nutritious diet (90.2%) and avoidance of junk food (85.4%) is commendable

Introduction: Studies on autoimmune myasthenia gravis are still rare in sub-Saharan Africa, and little is known about its profile. The aim of this study was to characterise the sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical profile of autoimmune myasthenia gravis in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Patients and methods: This was a longitudinal, descriptive, analytical, multicentre study carried out in various health facili ties in Burkina Faso, from March 2015 to April 2023. The study concerned patients who had clinical symptoms suggestive of myasthenia gravis, associated with the presence in the serum of anti-AChR (acetyl choline receptor) antibodies and/or an ti-MuSK (muscle specific kinase) antibodies and/or the presence of a decrement >10% on electroneuromyography of repeti tive nerve stimulation and/or a positive therapeutic test with oral anticholinesterase drugs. Sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical data were analysed using Epi- info 7.2.5.0 software

Objectives: To determine if a video physical exam clip of patients with acute bronchiolitis on high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) altered the duration of time from handoff initiation to either acceptance or refusal of the patient from the emergen cy department (ED) to the inpatient (IP) general pediatric wards. Study Design: This was a randomized controlled study conducted at a tertiary care children’s ED. Patients with bronchioli tis requiring HFNC and admission to the hospital were randomized to either video physical exam handoff or verbal handoff via telephone call alone. The primary outcome was length of time between handoff initiation and patient acceptance or re fusal by the IP team. Secondary outcomes included clinician handoff satisfaction scores and general safety comparisons. Results: Of the 103 children enrolled, 53 (51%) were assigned to video physical exam handoff and 50 (49%) assigned to ver bal handoff alone. There was no significant difference regarding length of time between ED handoff initiation and IP accep tance or refusal of admission between the video and verbal groups (10.71 minutes vs 9.18 minutes, p=0.517, CI -0.619-3.3).

Introduction: Vietnam has not yet conducted any studies reporting the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission at 6 – 8 weeks. This study aims to determine some factors related to mother-to-child transmission of HIV in An Giang province. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on pregnant women from An Giang residing in An Giang province from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010; and all pregnant women infected with HIV from August 1, 2008, to December 31, 2010, who were managed and monitored for mother-to-child HIV transmission in An Giang province. Results: 98 pregnant women and their children infected with HIV were monitored for analysis. The average age of the mothers, the history of HIV infection in the mothers, the stage of HIV infection in the mothers, the number of childbirths, and the BMI index showed no relation to the transmission of HIV to the children. The average gestational age in the group of children infected with HIV was 37.11 weeks compared to 38.60 weeks in the group of children not infected with HIV, with the difference in gestational age between the two groups being statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found related to the factors of episiotomy, baby weight, baby gender, and Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes between the groups of children infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV. There were 21 recorded cases of cesarean section, but none of the children in these cases were infected with HIV, while in the group of children born via vaginal delivery, 9 out of 77 cases were infected.

Background: Childhood immunization is one of the most successful public health interventions to prevent morbidity and mortality in children with Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs). Despite this, achieving high vaccination coverage is still pressing global public health problem, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. Objective: This study aims to identify factors associated with non- and incomplete vaccination status among children aged 12-23 months in Gindhir rural district, East Bale zone, Southeast Ethiopia

leomorphic adenoma, a commonly encountered salivary gland tumor, presents a diagnostic challenge due to its varied clinical and histopathological features. It is also known as “mixed tumor, which describes its pleomorphic appearance as opposed to its dual origin from epithelial and myoepithelial elements. This case report presents a notable instance of pleomorphic adenoma originating from the palate in a young female . The patient's history, clinical examination, and histopathological findings, including diverse morphological patterns with epithelial and myoepithelial components, are detailed.

Background: This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of smartphone applications for skin cancer detection. It explores their features, functionalities, performance metrics, and limitations. These apps offer melanoma detection, self-examination techniques, and risk factor assessment, with some providing advanced services like image analysis and dermatologist reviews. Methods: The performance evaluation assessed the accuracy of these apps in identifying skin lesions, with a focus on the chance of misidentifying benign lesions. Performance variations across iOS and Android devices were examined. Concerns regarding overdiagnosis or false alarms for certain lesion types and clinical scenarios were investigated. Algorithm comparison highlighted diverse approaches, with SkinVision demonstrating balanced performance

The study assessed baseline study of cassava seed business among youths in Anambra state, Nigeria: a gender situation analysis. The specific objectives were to; identify the level of participation in cassava seed business among male and female youths, estimate the level of market orientation among male and female youths in cassava seed business, ascertain the significant differences in total area of the farm, area of cassava farm planted and bundles harvested among male and female youth farmers, identify the determinants of participation in cassava seed business among male and female youths and estimate the factors constraining youths’ participation in cassava seed business. Primary data were collected randomly from 60 male and 60 female cassava farmers using a structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Data were analyzed using statistical tools such as, descriptive statistics, Z-test and regression analysis. From the findings, the average mean age of both female and male farmers was 30 and 18 years.

Association of a supra-radicular attachment with a removable partial denture on a metal framework is a therapeutic solution that may overcome the biomechanical and aesthetic challenges associated with posterior extensive edentulism. However, the success of the treatment requires rigorous preliminary study, thorough expertise in prosthetic implementation, as well as active patient cooperation.

This study examines fertility desires among women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Lideta Sub-City Health Centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 397 women, achieving a response rate of 97.5%. Data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using logistic regression to identify factors associated with fertility desire. The results showed that 76.6% of respondents desired fertility in the future, with relationship desire being associated with a lower likelihood of having fertility wishes. College-educated individuals over 55 (13.9%) were 10.24 times more likely to aspire to become parents than primary and uneducated individuals. Respondents preferred a time frame of three to four years. The average age of participants was 37.34 ± 7.20 years, with 43.1% aged 30–39 and 41.8% aged 40–49. Nearly half (49.4%) were married, and the majority (98.2%) lived in urban areas. Factors significantly associated with fertility desire included higher education, partner's desire for children, and preferred timing for live birth within 3-4 years. Married women were less likely to desire fertility. The findings suggest the need for targeted reproductive health counseling, partner involvement in family planning, and support tailored to women with higher educational backgrounds to effectively address their fertility aspirations. Interventions should focus on enhancing reproductive health counseling, involving partners in family planning,and providing targeted support to women with higher educational backgrounds.

Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Tunisian dentists regarding the use of herbal products in endodontic practice. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2022 to September 2022. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 360 dentists, stratified into general practitioners and endodontists. Results: Endodontists exhibited a mean knowledge score of 38.5 ± 3.9, while general practitioners scored 39.5 ± 3.4, indicating comparable levels of knowledge in the application of phytotherapy in endodontics (p = 0.094 > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the practice of herbal medicine between the two groups (p = 0.002 < 0.05). General practitioners demonstrated a higher mean practice score (4.96 ± 1.01) compared to endodontists (4.45 ± 0.82). Attitude scores did not significantly differ between the two groups, with endodontists scoring 8.4 ± 1.7 and general practitioners scoring 8 ± 1.6. The majority of participants were familiar with orange oil (87.5%), aloe vera gel (78.1%), green tea (74.7%), clove oil (70.3%), curcuma (69.2%), and lemon solution (68.1%). Furthermore, 97.2% of respondents expressed a desire to enhance their understanding of herbal medicine in dentistry.Conclusion: Tunisian dentists exhibited limited familiarity with herbal products that could be employed in endodontic practice. Both general practitioners and endodontists demonstrated similar levels of knowledge regarding phytotherapy in endodontics

Yellow streak, ring spot and mottle symptoms were observed on young Agave tequilana (agave azul) plants cultivated in commercial nurseries in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. These symptoms have been associated with those possibly caused by an unknown virus. Mechanical inoculation of a host range and serological tests (ELISA) failed to demonstrate the viral nature of agave yellow streak. However, observations made on ultrathin sections of agave tissues with symptoms under a transmission electron microscope showed the consistent presence of flexible rod-shaped virus particles in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts, damage to chloroplasts, and formation of different types of globose membranous inclusions not observed in tissues from healthy plants. Moreover, analysis of Sanger’s sequences of nucleic acid and amino acids from amplicons obtained by RTPCR assays of symptomatic agave plants showed the infections of an unknown virus species of the Order Tymovirales

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of infectious disease mortality worldwide. A large reservoir of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a major public health problem worldwide and in the United States. Methods: A 13-question survey was distributed to providers working in the infectious disease, pulmonary/critical care, and general medicine departments at an academic tertiary care center in the United States. The survey included questions about provider confidence in and knowledge about LTBI management and perceived barriers to patient completion of the LTBI care cascade. Results: The response rate of the survey was 33% (62/186). Only 17 (30.9%) providers were able to correctly identify indication for screening in all six of the given patient scenarios. Overall, provider confidence in LTBI management decreased along the care cascade. Infectious disease providers were the most confident in management. The two most observed barriers to care were language barriers and lack of knowledge or understanding about TB. Discussion: Surveyed providers believe the largest barriers to patient LTBI treatment completion are due to a lack of patient comprehension about their infection. Patient understanding could be improved through mandated in-person interpreters, information pamphlets in patients’ preferred languages, and formation of community partnerships, to improve awareness about LTBI.

Test results have indicated the types of behaviors that can be expected with band engineering. The high-k dielectric used has introduced a mid-gap state in the silicon band gap. It is the Al2O3 layer that is causing this. By taking a polycrystalline high-k dielectric, the different grain boundaries that occur in the structure introduce different energies in the insulator layer. The electrons in the silicon that are being pinned are being trapped by these high and low energy states between the oxygen and silicon bonds. This is known as a quasi-static trapping. What this does is build up a positive oxide charge over time. This has an effect on the overall conductance of the p-type silicon. In terms of positive ion charge that is felt by the silicon, the charge density is still the same with electrons being spatially redistributed around the bonding sites. This is a key advantage with high-k dielectrics and one of the goals of the current research into MIS devices. The test data is showing a current increase from the field emission. When tested with constant voltage and varying temperature, the emission is a result of a thermally activated process by the tunneling increases. Energy is transferable to electrons in the silicon with carriers increased and at higher temperatures the increase in carriers is exponential. This can cause negative bias instability in the device and is not a desirable outcome for p-type or CMOS with progression into more advanced technology in the quest for higher device integration. This issue can potentially be resolved by band engineering the silicon. This is a large and complex topic and according to results and the current understanding of high-k dielectrics, no further progress should be made until it is fully understood how an insulator with a mid-gap state can affect the silicon. This and the effects of positive charge build up are the research topics which will lead on from the current work into MIS devices with high-k dielectric

Sézary syndrome is characterized by erythroderma, diffuse adenopathy, atypical T lymphocytes in the blood (> 1000/µ Liter), and a dominant T clone in the blood, skin, and lymph nodes.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a 24-hour rhythm with a characteristic symptom of morning stiness, which causes pain in the joints from late night to early morning. We previously revealed that higher therapeutic eects were obtained in RA patients and RA animal models when the dosing time of anti-rheumatic drugs was chosen according to the 24-hour rhythms of cytokine and in- ammatory reaction. In this study, we evaluated whether dosing with the Janus-associated kinases inhibitor Tofacitinib while accounting for biological rhythms results in higher therapeutic ecacy