With the increase in incidence and prevalence of myeloid neoplasms in India, it has become a necessity to understand its molecular mechanisms, acquisition of genomic alterations, and understand its primary and secondary resistance pathways which ultimately impact the decision of therapeutics. The objective of this review is to investigate the molecular aspects of this disease type and identify the biomarkers that help with diagnosis, risk assessment, prognosis, and selecting the best line of treatment for a specific myeloid neoplasm. Advancements and innovations in molecular technologies from simplest Real-Time PCR to high throughput next-generation sequencing have played a vital role in screening the most common mutations and fusions to the novel and rare. Molecular technologies have helped to enumerate the genomic landscape of myeloid malignancies. The understanding of both- the mechanisms and the technology is a strong combination as it has helped revolutionize precision oncology and helped in giving better therapeutic choices with better clinical outcomes. The importance of cellular morphology, clinical symptoms, and molecular pathology in assessing the risk of myeloid malignancies is emphasized and summarized in the review. The review concludes that understanding molecular pathogenesis can be improved by using clinical-pathological-molecular strategies for diagnosis and therapy decision-making.

Mowat-Wilson Syndrome (MWS) is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome caused by mutations in the ZEB2 gene. It is characterized by distinctive facial appearance, intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), and other congenital anomalies. The psychiatric symptoms, associated with MWS have rarely been reported. The following report highlights a case of schizoaffective disorder in a 24-year-old male with MWS and the challenges he encountered over his treatment course.After considering numerous diagnoses including bipolar disorder and psychosis secondary to a general medical condition, the patient was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Various trials consisting of atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were unsuccessful in managing his symptoms. Eventually, the patient stabilized on a medication regimen consisting of clozapine 300 mg once daily, topiramate 75 mg twice per day, and lithium 1800 mg once daily. This case report documents co-occurrence of MWS and Schizoaffective disorder.

One of the most important emerging pollutants is pharmaceutical active compounds, which may be responsible, for example, for ecotoxicological changes and microbiological resistance. Wastewater treatment plants are not adequately equipped to remove all of the emerging pollutants contained in the wastewater. The ultrafiltration process has been proven to be effective in traditional wastewater treatment, so it is important to assess the performance of such a technique in the partial elimination of pharmaceutical compounds to avoid contamination. In this work, an assessment of ultrafiltration process operating conditions for eliminating six pharmaceutical compounds: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Caffeine, and trimethoprim, present in different types of water is performed. Experimental design is a systematic and structured approach to conducting experiments, and its application can significantly improve the study of membrane technology, reducing the number of assays necessary to obtain meaningful results. The statistical principles application ensures that the results obtained are reliable and representative of the true effects of the variables being studied. Its application helps to obtain valid conclusions from the data and provides a solid basis for making decisions or recommendations regarding the tests and variables to take into account. Membrane processes can involve complex interactions between several factors. Experimental design helps to identify and understand these interactions, allowing researchers to discern the combined effects of different variables. This is crucial to accurately predict and optimize membrane performance.In this work, ANOVA analysis has been carried out in order to determine the influence of membrane cut-off, solution pH, and feed concentration, as well as their interactions, in permeate flux and the rejection index. The results obtained show similar behavior for Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, and Trimethoprim, being the pH the most important factor. However, no significant factors were found for the acetaminophen and the Caffeine.

Over the past many decades, scientific research and practical efforts in the field of acute nonspecific inflammation of the lung tissue have been aimed at early detection of the pathogen and its suppression.

Cognitive impairment (CI) can be defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by a decline in at least two of several domains of cognitive function. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cognitive decline, and the prevalence in patients with end-stage renal disease is estimated at 50% - 80%. However, it appears that CI in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) may be underdiagnosed. In this cross-sectional study, 33 patients on Peritoneal Dialysis from the AOU Federico II were recruited, and matched by sex, age, and dialysis age to 33 patients on Hemodialysis and 33 controls belonging to healthy volunteers. The total 66 patients and their 33 controls were assessed for cognitive function using the Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire (CRIq) test. Between PD and HD patients, a statistically significant difference emerged in all subscores and in the total CRI. Between PD patients and controls, a statistically significant difference emerged in education, CRI- CRI-leisure time, and the total CRI. Therefore, CI may occur in patients undergoing PD earlier and with a greater frequency than in the general population, but with a lower incidence than in patients on HD. These considerations should be communicated to patients when they are educated about different replacement methods.

Pregnancy complications present significant challenges, impacting maternal health and fetal development. Oxidative stress, a key contributor to various pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and preterm birth, has spurred interest in exploring antioxidant interventions. Antioxidants, known for their ability to counteract oxidative damage, have emerged as potential therapeutic agents to mitigate these complications. This paper synthesizes current knowledge on the role of antioxidants in pregnancy, elucidating their mechanisms of action, sources, and impact on oxidative stress-related complications. It examines diverse antioxidant compounds, including vitamins C and E, selenium, and natural phytochemicals, highlighting their potential to modulate oxidative stress pathways and promote maternal-fetal well-being. Furthermore, this paper critically analyzes clinical studies, meta-analyses, and preclinical research exploring the efficacy and safety of antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy. It discusses the complexities surrounding optimal dosages, timing, and formulations of antioxidants, aiming to delineate strategies for their integration into prenatal care. In conclusion, this review provides insights into the promising role of antioxidants as therapeutic strategies to alleviate pregnancy complications associated with oxidative stress. It highlights avenues for future research, advocating for a deeper understanding of antioxidant mechanisms and their optimal utilization in prenatal care to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.

In a young patient with iron deficiency anemia and low hemoglobin levels, we identified a very rare association: Demyelinating disease with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) continues to rise, and obesity continues to be a predominant comorbid condition affecting patients with HFpEF. Recent research sheds light on the important pathophysiologic role that obesity plays in the development of HFpEF, with many areas of opportunity existing for future developments in understanding the etiology and management of the disease. Crucial in these pathophysiologic developments are studies that clearly characterize the obesity phenotype in HFpEF and compare it to presentations of HFpEF in patients without obesity. This paper reviews the existing literature on the obesity phenotype within HFpEF and discusses some of the prevailing ideas behind the pathophysiologic interplay between the conditions, as well as the existing treatments demonstrating improved outcomes in HFpEF.

The properties that make the wood of fast-grown Ash pliable, strong, and resilient have been exploited by man for thousands of years, and are illustrated by reference to the probable use of Ash timber for tools, arms, and transport by the Roman Army of Occupation in Britain two thousand years ago. Militarily organized and disciplined, the Roman Army was responsible for changing the face of Britain with huge infrastructure projects that required significant numbers of tools, equipment, and fuel, in addition to the arms it used to maintain control over the fractious tribes of the north. The extent to which it maintained supplies of this valuable resource by managing its woods, possibly by coppicing, is discussed and raises the question as to the degree of genetic selection involved in coppicing.Ash: Fraxinus excelsior: extinction: prehistoric and historic uses: Roman army military use of Ash.

Introduction: The individual program of rehabilitation and (or) habilitation of children with disabilities (IPRH) is mandatory for execution by the relevant state authorities, local self-government bodies, as well as organizations regardless of organizational-legal forms and forms of ownership.Objective: To conduct a pilot analysis of the implementation of the IPRH contingent of patients of children with disabilities in an urban children’s clinic.Patients and methods: There were 366 reports on the implementation of measures provided for by an IPRH for a disabled person (disabled child) of 222 disabled. The organization of the study was in the nature of a continuous sample. The criterion for the inclusion of patients in it was the passage of an IPRH in a disabled child within a specified time frame. The following techniques were used: grouping, absolute and relative values, average values, detailing, and generalization. The threshold error probability for statistically significant differences was set at a level of 0.05.Results: The structure of the results of the control of the performance of IPRH in 222 disabled children according to the classes of diseases that caused the onset of disability (ICD) was as follows 1) G00-G99 - 35.47 ± 3.13%; 2) Q00-Q99 - 23.50 ± 2.77%; 3) 11.11 ± 2.05%; 4) C00-D48 - 10.25 ± 1.98%; 5) H60-H95 - 7.26 ± 1.67%; 6) M00-M99 - 2.99 ± 1.11%; 7-8) H00-H59 and P00-P96 - 2.14 ± 0.95%; 9-10) K00-K93 and S00-T98 - 1.29 ± 0.74% each; 11-12) I00-I99 and N00-N99 - 0.85 ± 0.60% each; 13-14) J00-J99 and L00-L99 - 0.43 ± 0.42% each.Conclusion: 1. In the structure of IPRH in 222 disabled children, according to the classes of diseases that caused disability (ICD), the following prevailed: 1) VI Diseases of the nervous system G00-G99 – 35.47%; 2) XVII Congenital anomalies, chromosomal disorders Q00-Q99 - 23.50%; 3) IV Diseases of the endocrine system, nutritional disorders, and metabolic disorders E00-E90 – 11.11%; 4) II Neoplasms C00-D48 - 10.25%; 5) VIII Diseases of the ear and mastoid process H60-H95 - 7.26%; 6) XIII Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue M00-M99 - 2.99%; 7-8) VIII Diseases of the ear and mastoid process H60-H95 and VII Diseases of the eye and its adnexa H00-H59 - 2.14% each.2. The effectiveness of medical rehabilitation of disabled children was as follows: 1) Improvement - 23.26%; 2) Stabilization - 74.88%; 3) Deterioration - 1.86%. Dynamic observation was carried out on 94.26% of disabled children, drug therapy - 77.32%, non-drug therapy - 66.93%, and other types of medical rehabilitation were received by 14.48% of patients. Reconstructive operations were performed on 11.26% of disabled children.3. Prosthetics and orthotics were performed on 38.74% of disabled children. 32.43% of disabled children in need received sanatorium treatment, and 30.18% are currently in line to receive a voucher. For various reasons, 24.32% refused this type of rehabilitation; 3.60% of patients had contraindications at the time the voucher was provided.4. The obtained research results become the initial everyday statistical tool for objectifying the process of rehabilitation of patients and determining the strength and means of a medical institution to monitor and successfully implement an individual rehabilitation/habilitation program for a disabled person.

Introduction: The evolution of a patient with severe traumatic brain injury may require the use of a tracheostomy as part of respiratory weaning. The central question revolves around the optimal timing to replace intubation with tracheostomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis that early tracheostomy reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU).Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study including all patients admitted to the department over a period of 08 months. Various historical, demographic, clinical, biological, and progression-related covariates were collected upon admission.Results: Among the 69 patients included in the study who underwent surgical tracheostomy, two groups were formed: those who underwent early tracheostomy (within the first 8 days of mechanical ventilation) and those with late tracheostomy (after 8 days). The early group showed a significant reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation (16 ± 3 days) and length of stay in the intensive care unit (17 ± 3 days) compared to the late group (23 ± 6 days and 30 ± 11 days, respectively). No significant differences were observed regarding the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and mortality between the two groups.Conclusion: This study strengthens the existing literature by demonstrating that early tracheostomy is associated with a reduction in the duration of MV and length of stay in the ICU.

Background: Dysgerminomas, account for only 1% - 2% of all malignant ovarian neoplasms.Objective: This case report aims to present a rare occurrence of dysgerminoma in a pediatric patient, highlighting the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management.Case presentation: We present a case of dysgerminoma in a 12-year-old girl who presented with a three-week history of pelvic pain and progressive abdominal swelling. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen with evident suprapubic fullness, and a palpable abdominopelvic mass measuring approximately 20 weeks in size. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of a solid heterogeneous mass originating from the pelvis. The patient underwent a right salpingo-oophorectomy without complications. Histological examination coupled with an immunohistochemical study confirmed the diagnosis of dysgerminoma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged without adjuvant treatment. Regular follow-up visits, physical examinations, ultrasound scans, and lactate dehydrogenase assays were initiated for monitoring. Conclusion: Prompt recognition and appropriate surgical intervention, followed by regular monitoring, are crucial for optimal outcomes in pediatric dysgerminoma cases.

To reach such a consistent theory which contains the quantum field theory of particle physics and Einstein’s theory of gravitation as limiting cases, one may proceed in the following way: Standard quantum field theory just ignores the effects of gravity. This is justified in many cases due to the weakness of gravitational interactions at the presently accessible scales. In a first step beyond this approximation, one may consider an external gravitational field that is not influenced by the quantum fields. Here one may think of sources of gravitational fields that are not influenced by the quantum fields under consideration, as high-energy experiments in the gravitational field of the earth or quantum fields in the gravitational field of dark matter and dark energy. This approach amounts to the treatment of quantum field theory on curved spacetimes. The problem of quantization in curved spacetimes is now clearly visible. In Minkowski spacetime, there is a large group of symmetries that enforces a particular choice of vacuum by demanding the vacuum to be invariant. Such a criterion is absent for a general spacetime (M,g). We therefore do not know which state to choose as the vacuum. One might hope that the different prescriptions might be unitarily equivalent such that it doesn’t matter which state one takes to define the theory. Sadly this is not the case: The Stone-Von Neumann theorem is no longer valid for systems with an infinite amount of degrees of freedom. This means that unitarily inequivalent representations of the canonical commutation relations will arise, and it is not clear which equivalence concept representation is the physical one. In the second section of this chapter, we review the notions of Cauchy surfaces and global hyperbolicity.

Background: Early-onset sarcoidosis is a rare systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease, distinguished by onset before the age of 4 and notably lacking pulmonary involvement. Unfortunately, the condition often shows clinical features similar to juvenile idiopathic arthritis, resulting in the misdiagnosis of numerous patients. This case report delves into the challenges associated with the delayed diagnosis of early-onset sarcoidosis, with a particular focus on the diagnostic methods employed to address this delayed recognition.Case presentation: A 15-year-old girl presented with a history of recurrent fever since infancy, accompanied by rash, arthritis, and joint deformity. Previously misdiagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, she underwent management with steroids and methotrexate, yielding no improvement. The diagnosis of early-onset sarcoidosis was made during adolescence based on serial examinations, comprehensive laboratory and radiological evaluations, and subsequent histopathology findings. Presently, the patient is receiving treatment with low-dose steroids and biologic therapy (Tocilizumab) and experiencing no disease progression.Conclusion: This case report underscores the importance of considering early-onset sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients exhibiting persistent arthritis from an early age. Early detection and treatment are crucial in averting complications and enhancing the overall quality of life. 

Post-stroke vocal cord paralysis is a condition much less recognized compared to dysphagia. We describe bilateral vocal cord palsy in a thirty-six-year-old man following a stroke. 

Background: Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) pain attributed to myalgia is a common condition and patients should get advice on the best treatment option. Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the effect of two different exercise programs, or bite splint therapy, respectively, in patients with chronic frequent primary myofascial orofacial pain. Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial including patients fulfilling criteria of chronic frequent primary myofascial orofacial pain with a reported pain intensity of ≥ 4 on a numerical rating scale (0-10). Ninety subjects were randomized to either bite splint, home exercises, or a supervised exercise program. Two examiners blinded to the treatment modality examined the same subject at baseline and a 3-month follow-up. Non-parametric statistical methods were applied for the outcome of treatment in intended-to-treat analyses. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The pain severity index was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in all treatment groups. Jaw opening capacity improved significantly (p < 0.05) for those randomized to bite splint and for those in the home exercise program. About 70% of the participants reported improvement in their TMD pain severity with no significant difference between treatments. Both exercise groups improved in jaw function at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline. Those who had a bite splint reported significantly more improvement in their headaches compared to those in the exercise programs. Conclusion: Jaw exercise programs and bite splint treatments had similar positive effects on TMD pain severity attributed to myalgia after 3 months.

Two female patients in their fifties with a previous history of cutaneous malignant melanoma were found during follow-up to have a 'hot' lesion in the gallbladder on a Positron Emission Tomography scan. Imaging showed a gallbladder polyp. Histology revealed infiltration of the polyp mucosa by metastatic malignant melanoma. One case had a BRAF mutation. A male in his 70s was found on a staging computed tomography scan to have a suspicious intraluminal lesion in the gallbladder and thickening of the sigmoid colon. Subsequent histology confirmed metastatic malignant melanoma in the chest wall and to the gallbladder and adenocarcinoma in the colon. Molecular testing showed BRAF mutation. The metachronous adenocarcinoma in the colon was mismatch repair protein proficient and had no KRAS mutation. Histology from all cases showed that metastatic malignant melanoma to the gallbladder is superficial.Discussion: Reports from autopsy examinations revealed that metastasis from malignant melanoma to the gallbladder can be up to 15% - 20%. Most patients have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic which explains the paucity of cases reported in living patients within the published literature. Most of the previous reports showed the metastatic malignant melanoma to the gallbladder presented macroscopically as a polyploidal lesion. Conclusion: Our histological observation and previous reports showed that metastatic malignant melanoma in the gallbladder tends to be superficial. All our cases show no lymphatic or vascular invasion in the histological examination as previously published reports, however, the hematological spread is the most commonly suggested mechanism of spread.

Computational models used in specifying biological systems represent a complement and become an alternative to more widely used mathematical models. Amongst some of the advantages brought by these computational models, one can mention their executable semantics and mechanistic way of describing biological system phenomena. This short overview report enumerated some of the computational models utilised so far in systems and synthetic biology, the associated analysis and formal verification methods and tools, and a way of facilitating a broader use of this alternative approach.

Biochemical systems are analytically investigated after encoding the properties of the dynamics, which rule the time evolution of the transition properties, using some Markov models, such as the Hierarchical Markov-State Models. The present paper is aimed at analytically writing the (finite) Markov chain originating from the considered Markov models. Within this framework, the interaction with the environment is considered, and the ergodicity of the systems obtained from numerical simulation is controlled and compared with the qualities of the Markov chain. The (von Neumann) conditions to be imposed on the Bloch equations for the biomaterial structures to be described analytically in a consistent way are governed. The formalisms of the ’heat bath’ and that of the control of the numerical errors ensure the good measure-theoretical framework and the ergodicity of the finite chain, respectively.The finite Markov chains are investigated and the analytical expressions are presented, after which the Hierarchical Markov-State-Model provides the time evolution of the transition probabilities in biochemical systems.The notion of heat bath is used to describe the interactions of the biomaterial with the environment and thus to control the uses of the projection operators in the Markovian processes where the appropriate measure is defined; the stochastic equations allow one to obtain the wanted measure from the probability spaces.The cases in which a violation of the Markov property of the process occurs, i.e. in open systems, or dissipative processes are also considered. Furthermore, in complex molecules in biological systems, these features are investigated to be possibly even more dramatic. As far as molecular processes are concerned, this occurrence is associated with the appearance of chaotic effects with certain characteristics of potential surfaces: rather than the technique of isocommittors, the method of projectors in measure spaces is used for the Nakajima-Zwanzig paradigm for the density operator; this latter method complementary compares the time-convolution-less technique.The finite Markov chains are finally proven to be ergodic after the control of the numerical errors which provide the Sinai-Markov partitions to be applied for the analysis of the measure space of the Markov chain, that is, one endowed with a Hilbert measure. The von Neumann conditions are therefore newly demonstrated to be apt to be applied to the Bloch equations for biomaterial structures after the use of the notion of heat bath, from which the measure space arises.The qualities of the Hierarchical Markov-Sate Models which bring the analytical expression of the time evolution of probabilities of biomaterials are therefore newly analytically studied.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global crisis, straining healthcare systems and leaving us with limited options to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This retrospective, cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of antibiotic resistance patterns among urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Al-Shifa Hospital’s medical departments in comparison with non-medical departments using data from microbiology laboratory archives over a one-year period. From the examined urine cultures about 25% were obtained from internal medicine departments and double the number was obtained from non-medical departments. The positive rate was around 35% and about two-thirds of the samples were collected from female patients. Among all departments, Enterobacteriaceae spp. were found to be the most frequently isolated uropathogens, accounting for 80% of cases. However, resistance rates varied depending on the specific organism and antibiotic used. For instance, E. coli showed a resistance rate of only 5% against meropenem, while amoxicillin-clavulanic acid exhibited a resistance rate exceeding 95%.Importantly, the study revealed a significant disparity in resistance rates between medical and non-medical departments, specifically concerning third-generation cephalosporins. In internal medicine departments, resistance rates were alarmingly high, with cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime showing resistance rates of 75%, 75% and 66.5% respectively. In contrast, non-medical departments displayed lower resistance rates, approximately 60%, 60% and 40%, respectively.In summary, this research sheds light on the escalating problem of antibiotic resistance in UTIs and emphasizes the discrepancy in resistance rates between medical and non-medical departments. Urgent efforts are required to address this issue and find effective solutions to prevent the rise of untreatable bacterial infections.

Introduction: We strongly believe that rs-fMRI using independent component analysis (ICA) must be considered as a technique to be systematically used in the near future, as positron emission tomography (PET TC) is today. Unfortunately, this technique is not yet used in Italy because, despite the studies just summarized, it is considered “experimental” and not routine without reasonable justification!Aim of the Study: We present two cases studied with these techniques, after the informed consent obtained by the patients1) A young woman from Sicily, in whom an rs-fMRI revealed her severe personality disorder, was found capable of insight and strong-willed and was therefore found guilty by the criminal court of the murder of her young son, with a strange motive: rs-fMRI cannot be considered part of the assessment because it is so far considered experimental. PET-TAC was also classified as routine in Italy after a long legal discussion. We hope that all these studies, which are now summarized in this review, will be considered useful, at least in Europe, when a judge has to decide whether to sentence a person with psychological or psychiatric problems or to consider them as a person to be treated in a specific residential home (called REMS in Italy).2) Another woman from Bergamo, after having killed a neighbor of hers, was, instead, considered not guilty because of her inability to want to kill him, and so admitted to a particular structure (REMS: residence to execution of security measures) to treat her problem, front temporal dementia, with a severe neuropsychiatric disorder (NPS), diagnosed after the crimen was fulfilled.Conclusions: These two interesting cases demonstrate that in Italy nowadays, we do not have a homogeneous methodology to investigate the ability to understand and want, limiting the study only to personality tests. Here we describe new techniques that may help in this objective.

Accumulated condylomas are exophytic tumors with a warty and hyperkeratosic surface due to the Human papillomavirus (HPV). Its prevalence in children is difficult to estimate due to limitations in epidemiological data. Its recurrent character is found in 30% of patients. Its management is very complex in children because of skin fragility. Circumcision is an operation consisting of the removal of part of the foreskin. This practice is done either with a simple knife or a pair of non-aseptic scissors which can be a source of contamination including HPV (Condyloma). Traditional circumcision does not seem to be reported in the literature as a mode of contamination. We report a case of genital condyloma in a child 2 years after circumcision. This is a 2-year-old male with no medical history but with a surgical history of circumcision that was brought by his parents in dermatological consultation for papular lesions accumulated on the penis. At the interrogation, we found the notion of recent circumcision performed by a tradithérapeute. The physical examination finds a good general condition. Dermatological examination reveals on the glans of multiple papules, exophitic, with warty and hyperkeratotic surface, of normal skin color. Furthermore, the physical examination of both parents was normal. The diagnosis of accumulated condyloma secondary to probable circumcision was retained before the clinical appearance of the lesions. Two electrocoagulation sessions spaced one month apart under local anesthesia were the treatment with a favorable evolution.

Introduction: In our fast-paced world, children’s dietary habits and behaviour are increasingly concerning, with a tendency toward indulging in sweets and snacks. Insights are derived from observations of 20 children at a crèche facility.Temptation of sweets: Children’s inherent attraction to sweet and salty snacks challenges maintaining a healthy diet. Excessive consumption can lead to health issues, recognizing the pivotal role parents and caregivers play in guiding children toward healthier choices.Significance of a balanced diet: A well-rounded and nutritious diet is crucial for a child’s physical and mental development. Providing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is essential.Role of activities: Diversifying a child’s routine with engaging activities is a powerful strategy to redirect their focus from unhealthy snacks. Sports, arts, outdoor play, and educational games promote physical fitness, creativity, and cognitive development, contributing to a well-balanced lifestyle.Strategies for encouraging healthy choices:•    Lead by example: Modelling healthy habits inspires children to adopt similar behaviour.•    Educate about nutrition: Imparting knowledge about the nutritional value of foods equips children to make informed choices.•    Make healthy options accessible: Stocking the kitchen with nutritious snacks makes it convenient for children to opt for healthier alternatives.•    Limit unhealthy choices: Setting clear limits on sugary snacks helps children develop moderation and self-control.•    Create a fun and active environment: Fostering an enjoyable environment involves family outings, games, and making exercise a natural part of daily life.Results: Encouraging results were observed among the 20 children. Two children, aged around 12, demonstrated awareness of healthy habits. Excluding these two, others showed positive changes in behaviour towards sweets and snacks through activities and counselling.Conclusion: Maintaining a balance between a child’s consumption of sweets and snacks and engaging in diverse activities is crucial for overall development. A combination of nutritious choices and engaging activities guides children toward a path of health and happiness

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death worldwide. Advances in primary and secondary prevention of CVD have improved patient prognoses and outcomes, however, it is imperative that the clinician and patient engage in early risk factor screening and preventive management of modifiable risk factors for CVD. In addition to blood lipid and blood pressure lowering medications, aspirin has been a long-standing therapy targeted to the prevention of CVD based on its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity. However, recent articles and reports on updates to clinical guidelines for the primary prevention of CVD have resulted in confusion about aspirin recommendations. This review aims to assess the latest guidance on aspirin in CVD prevention and how to identify appropriately at-risk patients who may benefit from low-dose aspirin therapy as part of their CVD preventive healthcare choices. Additionally, this review will provide practical application guidance about clinician-patient conversations to clearly explain the benefits and risks of aspirin use and ensure a patient-centric decision to initiate aspirin therapy.

A 10-year-old male child presented to the Department of Respiratory Medicine in March 2017, with complaints of dyspnea (mMRC grade 1) for last 14 months which aggravated on right lateral position, left-sided chest pain for 1 year and mild fever for 3 months. There was no hemoptysis, wheeze, and expectoration. The patient gave a past history of straw-colored pleural fluid aspiration one year ago which was diagnosed as tubercular hydropneumothorax (Figure 1) in 2016 based on pleural fluid analysis. He was given antitubercular treatment for the effusion. He took ATT for 8 months but with no improvement. 

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory multisystem disorder that commonly affects females during their reproductive years. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and immune complex deposition, the etiology is not known but the interaction of an environmental agent in a genetically susceptible individual is thought to be fundamental. SLE most frequently involves the skin, joints, lungs, heart, kidney, and neuropsychiatric manifestations that may occur during the course of the disease. Mood disorders among SLE patients, particularly depression, are common and important psychiatric manifestations of the disease, in addition to their high incidence and possible deleterious influence on disease progression, so early identification and treatment of depression may have a significant influence on the patient’s quality of life.

Being hospitalized or undergoing a surgical procedure may be quite an isolating and lonely experience. This review explored loneliness in the hospital and surgical setting, and highlights the emotional and psychological challenges experienced by patients during their healthcare journey. While hospitals traditionally provide medical and surgical care for a wide array of conditions, the irony lies in their potential to disrupt one’s daily routines, contribute to loss of control, prolong hospital stays, and limit connections with family and loved ones leading to negative psychological well-being and intensifying feelings of loneliness. The implications of loneliness in the hospital and surgical contexts are discussed along with recommendations for improving the healthcare system’s response to the negative health consequences associated with loneliness. Coping strategies are discussed, including social support mechanisms, and approaches to healthy behaviors, i.e. mindfulness, which contribute to mitigating loneliness, in the context of hospitalizations and surgery.

Introduction: The functional anatomy of the myocardium allows envisioning that it initiates and ends at the origin of the great vessels. In our research, we have always considered that it should have a point of attachment to allow its helical rotation to fulfill the fundamental movements of shortening-torsion (systole) and lengthening-detorsion (suction), which once found, was called the cardiac fulcrum. Materials and methods: A total of 31 hearts, arising from the morgue and slaughterhouse were used: 17 corresponded to bovids and 14 were human. Anatomical and histological studies were performed. The heart was fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s trichrome staining technique, and 4-micron sections were used for the histological study, and 10 % formalin was used as a buffer. Results: The anatomical investigations have revealed that all the hearts (bovids and humans) have myocardial support whose histological structure in the analyzed specimens presents with an osseous or chondroid-tendinous character. In this structure, which we have called the cardiac fulcrum, are inserted the myocardial fibers at the origin and end of the band, which correspond to the continuous myocardium coiled as a helix.Conclusion: This description of the fulcrum would end the problem of lack of support of the myocardium to fulfill its function of suction/ejection.

Background and purpose: Schizophrenia (SZH) is a chronic mental disorder affecting the individuals` thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behaviors. People with SZH may experience a wide range of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Since there are no laboratory assays for definite SZH diagnosis, the authors aimed to identify the cerebral volumetric variations in SZH patients with the most prevalent positive symptoms as a diagnostic tool. This study selected 15 SZH patients displaying the most prevalent positive symptoms based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria. Assessment tools included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive impairment, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for symptom evaluation, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WIS) for intelligence assessment. Additionally, 15 Healthy Controls (HC) without cerebral pathologies were recruited. T1w MRI images underwent analysis using Freesurfer software. Data analysis employed Mann-Whitney U and χ² tests, considering p < 0.05 as significant.Results: SZH and HC groups showed no significant differences in age and gender. However, significant (p < 0.05) alterations in Gray Matter (GM) volume were observed in SZH patients compared to HC. In the right hemisphere, several regions exhibited volume reduction, including the Fusiform sulcus, Rostral middle frontal gyrus, isthmus cingulate, Frontal pole, Middle temporal gyrus, Lateral occipital gyrus, and Inferior Parietal gyrus. Notably, the Precentral sulcus and Postcentral gyrus demonstrated volume acceleration. Similarly, in the left hemisphere, various regions showed volume reduction while the Paracentral gyrus indicated volume acceleration, all significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion: SZH patients display significant volumetric brain changes, indicating potential for future diagnostic procedures in SZH.