Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms resistant to conventional antibiotics, posing a major threat to medical as well as industrial settings. These ideas target the biofilm matrix, communication of bacteria, or increasing antibiotic susceptibility. These strategies offer a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional treatment by disrupting biofilm structure and bacterial behaviour. Combination of these methods with existing antibiotics may enhance efficiency against chronic interventional device-related infections, significantly advancing biofilm management and antimicrobial therapy. This communication enlightens the emerging strategies – enzymes, nanoparticle quorum sensing inhibitors, bioelectric effect, bio-acoustic effect, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an innovative tool for biofilm disruption and eradication.

Interfacial failure associated with stress shielding is a primary cause of implant rejection. The customized structure, supported with similar mechanical strength and interconnected porosity, would facilitate improved interfacial crosstalk. Herein, a fugitive templating technique is explored for fabricating tailorable open porous Ti6Al4V. Ti6Al4V powder‐loaded slurry compositions are used to infiltrate fugitive templates with characteristics of 40, 30, and 20 pores per inch (PPI). The fabricated Ti6Al4V foam has open porosity ranging 73.8–91.7%, similar to trabecular bone. Further, the mechanical properties of foam are found to be in close proximity to trabecular bone. The sample of 40 PPI characteristics with different slurry combinations shows promising results compared to other fugitive templates. The Weibull modulus of all samples prepared using 40 PPI templates is evaluated to range between 3.14 and 11.31. Moreover, pore size distribution of the samples ranges from 422 ± 32.3 to 1148 ± 208 μm, with a porosity ranging from 73.8 ± 2.2 to 86.1 ± 0.8%. In vitro and in vivo studies confirm suitability of the samples for biological systems. The results indicate that the scaffolds are cytocompatible, bacteriostatic, hemocompatible, and promote osseoincorporation. Based on the optimized PPI–slurry combination, implants are fabricated as proof of concept.

Background Hernias are a major health concern in India, with varying incidence and prevalence influenced by socio-demographic factors. Despite global advances in hernia management, regional disparities are evident within India. Method This analysis utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 to examine inguinal, femoral, and abdominal hernias across India from 1990 to 2021, categorized by ICD-10 codes. Key metrics analyzed included prevalence, incidence, mortality, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), with age-standardized rates (ASRs). The Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) for incidence and mortality, Spearman correlation for assessing the relationship between Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and hernia metrics, and ARIMA models for future trend projections were employed. Result Between 1990 and 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of hernias in India decreased from 143.85 to 137.05 per 100,000, a reduction of 4.72%, despite a 46% increase in the absolute number of hernia cases due to population growth. Mortality rates significantly declined by 57.05%. DALYs also decreased from 98.01 to 43.51 per 100,000. Projections for 2031 indicate stabilization of incidence rates and an increase in prevalence. Conclusions Significant improvements in hernia management in India have been achieved over three decades, driven by advances in healthcare and socio-demographic progress. However, the rising number of cases and expected increase in prevalence highlight the need for enhanced healthcare strategies and resource allocation to manage the hernia burden effectively.

Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disease with phases of relapse and remission. Empirical data shows that expressed emotion (EE) is one of the important stressors which shows a direct association with the recurrence of illness. Though a huge amount of research has been done on mental illness, in this research, it has been used to see how this construct effects people with UC. Purpose To assess the level of EE among patients with mild-to-moderate UC. It also aims to find whether there is a significant difference among UC patients with respective to demographic variables like age, gender, education, marital status and socio-economic status (SES). Methods It followed a quantitative approach and descriptive survey research design. The sample size was 100, including both males and females (50 each) in the age group of 30–50 years. The tools used were the family emotional involvement (EI) and criticism scale (FEICS) to quantify the perceived criticism (PC) and EI. Inferential statistics and a chi-square test were used. Results UC patients showed a mean PC score of 14.87 out of 28 and a mean EI score of 17.24 out of 28. UC patients had a total mean score of 32.11, which depicted high EE. There was no significant association found between the demographic variables in this study and EE. Conclusion The present findings show that patients with UC show moderate PC but high EI. For UC, the family environment can be improved by better interventions in the form of family counselling and psychoeducation. Fostering coping skills, stress management and effective communication in families will help in emotional regulation among patients of UC.

BACKGROUND Schools serve as crucial settings for promoting children’s health, including oral health, yet the integration of oral health initiatives within the vast Indian education system remains underutilized, presenting an opportunity for improvement. This qualitative study aimed to explore schoolteachers’ perspectives on oral health promotion, maintenance, and the potential integration of oral health services within school environments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine government and central schools in Haryana and New Delhi were selected for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 teachers engaged in educating students aged 10 to 17 years. Convenience sampling was utilized to select teachers with varying teaching experience. Each interview was conducted with the help of interview guide. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify recurring themes and patterns within the qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews. RESULTS Teachers demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of oral health, emphasizing its significance in nutrition, confidence-building, aesthetics, and preventive care. Varied frequencies of dental visits were reported, with parental negligence identified as a significant barrier to oral healthcare services in schools. Suggestions to overcome barriers included engaging children, parents, and teachers, providing skill-based health education, improving health-promoting policies, and enhancing access to health services. CONCLUSIONS The study underscores the importance of integrating oral health education and services into school curricula to promote holistic well-being among students. Addressing barriers such as parental negligence and lack of awareness among teachers is crucial for enhancing oral health initiatives in schools.

A BSTRACT Aging is a very complex process, which is genetically and environmentally driven. Aging and age-related disease onset are strongly dependent on the exposome (all environmental exposures from conception to death). This review focuses on how environmental load accumulated throughout life, possibly through oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modulation, influence aging. Specific environmental contributors to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and how they have biological impact are explored by us. We also review recent advances performed in exposome research focusing on biomonitoring and multiomics approaches, which allow for novel discovery of the mechanisms for aging related to exposome. We also suggest potential preventive actions that will help to offset the environmental risks and achieve healthy aging. Knowing how the environment plays a role in aging gives the opportunity to develop better strategies to prevent and manage diseases related to age.

A BSTRACT Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a multifactorial condition characterized by persistent pain in the pelvic region, significantly impacting the quality of life and psychological wellbeing of affected individuals. The superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) has emerged as a promising interventional therapy for patients with refractory CPP. This procedure involves the targeted administration of anesthetic agents to the superior hypogastric plexus, a key neural network responsible for transmitting visceral pain from the pelvic organs. A thorough analysis of existing literature demonstrates that SHPB provides significant pain relief and improves functional outcomes in patients with CPP associated with conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and malignancy-related pain. Moreover, SHPB has been shown to reduce the need for opioid analgesics and enhance the quality of life for many individuals. Despite its potential, the procedure is not without risks, including complications such as infection, bleeding, and transient hypotension. Therefore, careful patient selection and procedural expertise are paramount for optimizing outcomes. In conclusion, SHPB offers a viable and effective option for managing CPP, particularly in cases resistant to conventional therapies. Further research is warranted to establish standardized protocols, refine patient selection criteria, and assess long-term outcomes. As our understanding of CPP and its management evolves, SHPB is poised to play a pivotal role in comprehensively treating this challenging condition.

A BSTRACT Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) stands as the worldwide medical problem that causes substantial portions of both acute liver failure incidents and necessary liver transplants and fatalities. The liver functions as the main detoxifying organ of the body therefore, it becomes easily susceptible to destructive effects from the medicine components as well as other substances such as herbal supplements. DILI produces diverse liver damage that extends from unnoticed enzyme level elevations through the acute liver failure detection points. The purpose of this review assessment is to deliver an extensive breakdown of DILI pathogenic elements alongside diagnostic hurdles and present rule-of-the-art clinical practices. Researchers analyze three major pathophysiological mechanisms—oxidative stress, along with mitochondrial dysfunction and immune-mediated damage—for liver damage formation. The article explains diagnostic tools for DILI alongside establishing biomarkers and employment of liver biopsy for diagnosis. This discussion explores detailed information about the three management options that consist of drug withdrawal and supportive care together with liver transplantation. The discovery of genetic DILI susceptibilities combined with pharmacogenomic applications in clinical care leads to promising patient-specific treatments for better clinical achievements.

A BSTRACT This case study involved a 28-year-old woman with primary infertility, chronic abnormal vaginal bleeding, recurrent miscarriages, and uterine polyps. After undergoing hysteroscopic polypectomy to remove the polyps, plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) therapy was administered to enhance endometrial thickness. Following the therapy, the endometrial thickness increased to 7 mm, leading to successful implantation and a positive pregnancy outcome. PRGF therapy was integrated into the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, including ovum pickup, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and embryo transfer. PRGF releases growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor and transformation growth factor (TGF-β1), which play key roles in repairing endometrial tissue, promoting cell proliferation, and enhancing the function of primary cells involved in tissue regeneration. Although the short-term results in this case are promising, further research is necessary to investigate the long-term effects of PRGF therapy on IVF outcomes, including implantation success, biochemical pregnancies, and ongoing pregnancies. PRGF therapy shows promise as a complementary treatment in IVF protocols, particularly for patients with thin endometrial linings or uterine polyps. It offers a safe, minimally invasive, and cost-effective approach to improving endometrial receptivity and enhancing IVF success rates. However, further studies are needed to validate its long-term efficacy and its role in improving overall reproductive outcomes.

A BSTRACT Personalized medicine creates revolutionary treatments for rare genetic disorders through medicine that adjusts to individual genetic information. The development of next-generation sequencing and whole-genome sequencing through genomic research has made precise medical diagnoses along with personalized treatments possible. The current therapies using CRISPR-Cas9 and gene therapy methods tend to fix harmful mutations effectively. Biomarker discovery, along with precise diagnostic techniques enables doctors to develop precise treatment methods through targeted therapeutic approaches. The ongoing revolution in rare disease management through personalized medicine faces hurdles of affordability and barrier to access and ethical questions but continues to create better individualized therapeutic solutions.

Background Eating disorders (EDs) have traditionally been viewed as a Western phenomenon, but their prevalence in South Asia has risen due to urbanization, globalization, and Westernized beauty ideals. This systematic analysis examines trends and prevalence of Anorexia nervosa (AN) and Bulimia nervosa (BN) using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2021. Methods This analysis used data from the GBD study on age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) for AN and BN, as well as their total percentage changes (TPCs) from 1990 to 2021. Trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to identify changes over time and calculate annual percent changes (APCs) and average annual percent changes (AAPCs). Geospatial patterns and temporal changes were visualized using QGIS software. The correlation between the Sociodemographic Index (SDI) and the DALY rate was assessed using R software. Results The ASPR of EDs increased significantly from 1990 to 2021, with BN peaking in the 20–24 age group and AN in the 15–19 and 20–24 age groups. Females exhibited the highest rates of increase, while notable rises were also observed in males. Bhutan recorded the highest ASPR for both AN and BN, with varying temporal percentage changes across countries. A significant positive correlation was found between the SDI and DALY rates across 21 global regions, with anorexia nervosa showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.75, p < 0.001). Conclusions The rising burden of EDs in South Asia underscores an urgent need for culturally sensitive prevention strategies and public health policies. Targeted interventions addressing sociocultural drivers are essential to mitigate the growing impact of EDs in this region. Level of evidence Level V, Descriptive study.

A BSTRACT Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally. Tumor markers play a critical role in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis. This review focuses on Glutathione S-transferase (GST), particularly its pi isoenzyme (GSTP1), as well as tumor markers CA15-3 and HE4, in breast cancer patients before and after treatment. These markers are crucial for understanding disease progression, assessing treatment efficacy, and developing therapeutic strategies. Glutathione S-transferase, particularly its pi isoenzyme, along with tumor markers CA15-3 and HE4, holds significant promise in the management of breast cancer. Their combined evaluation before and after treatment could provide crucial insights into disease progression, treatment response, and potential recurrence.

A BSTRACT Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is essential for adolescent girls, yet many face challenges in accessing education and resources. This systematic review assesses the impact of various MHH interventions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A search of studies from 2000 to 2022 identified 10 relevant studies evaluating structured teaching programs, peer education, and community-based interventions. Results showed significant improvements in MHH awareness and behavior, particularly with peer-led and school-based programs. However, gaps persist, especially in rural areas. Community and school engagement are key to effective interventions, with future efforts needed to address awareness gaps in underserved populations.