Most Viewed Articles

In 1955, nutrient malabsorption following upper gut surgery was shown to be related to altered upper gut microbiome. In individuals with abdominal symptoms after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, we have reported that small intestinal glucose malabsorption is associated with upper gut bacterial overgrowth. We hypothesize that individuals with abdominal symptoms after vertical sleeve gastrectomy have glucose malabsorption associated with upper gut bacterial overgrowth, and to test this hypothesis, bacterial overgrowth and potential glucose malabsorption are examined after sleeve gastrectomy. This is a retrospective study of individuals with medically-complicated obesity who underwent sleeve gastrectomy from 2013 to 2016 with subsequent glucose hydrogen breath testing to evaluate abdominal symptoms. A fasting breath hydrogen or methane of ≥10 PPM or rise of ≥8 PPM ≤45 minutes after oral glucose is bacterial overgrowth, while glucose malabsorption is a second rise of ≥8 PPM at >45 minutes. Seven females (mean age: 48.0 years; mean body mass index at surgery: 45.7 kg/m2) are described. Five subjects (71%) have an early rise in hydrogen or methane, while three (43%) have a second rise in hydrogen or methane >45 minutes after glucose. The mean percent excess weight loss at one year was 40% in three individuals with a second peak and 46% in four subjects without a second peak. After sleeve gastrectomy, subjects have glucose malabsorption associated with the presence of bacterial overgrowth. Completion of a larger prospective study is needed to confirm and expanding upon these findings. Further work should examine the potential effects of bacterial overgrowth on expression of intestinal glucose transporters.

Wheat bran and groundnut shell powder have been used to study the mechanism of diclofenac sodium adsorption from aqueous solution using batch as well as column modes and maximum uptake is 84.3% for wheat bran and 82.4% for groundnut shell powder at pH 6, drug concentration 1mg/L at 298 K for 30min. Isotherm and error analysis reveals that Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms fitted well. Kinetic studies show that the adsorption process follows second-order kinetics and thermodynamic study shows endothermic adsorption process. Column adsorption study is important for industrial scale adsorption and column studies have been carried out using vertical bed and sequential bed adsorption columns at pH 6 which is the optimum pH for maximum adsorption for batch experiments. Vertical and sequential bed columns setup is simple and economical which provides flow under gravity. The effect of varying inlet feed concentration and flow rate on the breakthrough and exhaustion time of columns has been studied to determine the bed capacities of both columns. Thomas model and Yoon-Nelson models fitted well with experimental data for continuous flow column studies.

TEmphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare but potentially life-threatening necrotizing renal parenchymal infection characterised by the production of intra-parenchymal gas. The approach and the management of emphysematous has changed dramatically over the last two decades with the advent of computed tomography (CT)-based diagnosis and advances in antibiotic therapy as well as multidisciplinary intensive care of sepsis leading to an overall decline in mortality rates to 20-25%. The previously standard treatment for EPN which included nephrectomy of the affected kidney has been replaced by minimally invasive and nephron sparing surgery with better patient outcomes. We present our case series of 12 patients with EPN over a short period of two years treated at our tertiary care centre in South Western India.

Microscope dentistry has been shown to enhance the visual capabilities and motor skills of dentists, regardless of their specialization. Additionally, there is an often-overlooked benefit: cognitive support. This assistance boosts confidence in their tasks, leading to improved decision-making by influencing the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, using a microscope helps protect the brain’s mental functions, which is crucial in a profession that demands precision and focus. Overall, this tool promotes the health and well-being of the operator by integrating ergonomic principles.

Background: Toumbak, a form of smokeless tobacco made from Nicotiana rustica and sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in Sudan and poses potential health risks, particularly concerning cardiovascular function. Despite its high prevalence, especially among adult males, limited data exist regarding its impact on blood pressure.Objective: To assess and compare blood pressure parameters among Sudanese Toumbak users and non-users, and to investigate the association between Toumbak use, age, and gender with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP).Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from 2022 to 2025 among 1000 Sudanese adults (500 Toumbak users and 500 matched non-users) aged 18–60 years in Khartoum State. Blood pressure measurements were recorded using a digital sphygmomanometer following WHO guidelines. Independent t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare SBP, DBP, and PP between groups. A p - value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Toumbak users exhibited significantly elevated SBP (141.7 ± 21.9 mmHg), DBP (89.3 ± 6.0 mmHg), and PP (52.4 ± 19.3 mmHg) compared to non-users (SBP: 121.2 ± 3.2 mmHg, DBP: 80.5 ± 3.8 mmHg, PP: 40.7 ± 3.9 mmHg), with p < 0.001 for all parameters. Males demonstrated significantly higher SBP (145.6 ± 24.0 mmHg) and PP (56.7 ± 22.1 mmHg) than females (SBP: 137.8 ± 18.6 mmHg, PP: 48.2 ± 14.5 mmHg). While no statistically significant differences were observed in BP across age groups, adolescents and middle-aged users had the highest SBP.Conclusion: Toumbak use is significantly associated with elevated blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly among male users. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and awareness campaigns addressing the health consequences of smokeless tobacco in Sudan.

Anemia due to gastrointestinal blood loss can occur due to many conditions and rarely to bowel structural anomalies. We report a 12 years old girl with anemia due to small bowel duplication cyst, posing diagnostic challenge intra operatively. Surgery offered cure without recurrence of bleeding. Common symptoms can be due to a rare surgical condition in practice.

Background: Platelets are increasingly recognized as important inflammatory markers. This study explores the association between platelet indices and disease severity in ulcerative colitis (UC).Objective: To evaluate platelet parameters in patients with newly diagnosed UC and assess their correlation with disease severity indices.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, between October 2022 and September 2024. A total of 62 newly diagnosed UC patients aged over 18 years were included. Disease severity was evaluated using Truelove and Witts (TLW) criteria, Mayo Disease Activity Index (Mayo DAI), and Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS). Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet mass index (PMI), and platelet large cell ratio (PLCR) were measured. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, ROC curves, and sensitivity/specificity assessment.Results: The majority of patients were male (81%) with a mean age of 28.2 years. A significant positive correlation was observed between platelet count and disease severity by UCEIS (r = 0.32, p = 0.015) and Mayo DAI (r = 0.35, p = 0.009). PMI showed strong correlations with UCEIS (r = 0.45, p = 0.001) and Mayo DAI (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). MPV was inversely correlated but showed weak significance. PLCR also showed significant correlations. ROC analysis revealed platelet count (AUC = 0.815) and PLCR (AUC = 0.729) as good predictors of disease severity.Conclusion: Platelet parameters, particularly PMI, PLCR, and platelet count, may serve as accessible, non-invasive biomarkers for assessing disease severity in UC. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted.

The external force in the relativistic equation of motion can be separated into two components: Fr and Fp. The first is expressed by the physical force divided by the square of the relativistic Lorentz factor, i.e γ2. This force dominates for non-relativistic velocities and vanishes for velocities approaching the speed of light c. On the other hand, the second term increases from zero with increasing velocity and dominates for velocities close to c. It is then a purely relativistic component. The characteristic feature of this component is its zero power, Fp ⋅ v = 0, but it is responsible for the relativistic precession. The effect was confirmed by numerical solutions of the equation of motion. Relativistic formulas for the precession frequency for point objects moving in selected fields of central forces were also derived analytically. It has been shown that for weak gravitational interactions, the correction for relativistic precession is small, negligibly small for Earth, and relatively small, though measurable, for Mercury. In turn, for the microworld and electrostatic forces (e.g., for the hydrogen atom), relativistic precession can fundamentally affect the movement of the electron.

Alopecia is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, and it appears that there is a relationship between the degree of hair loss and the risk of coronary heart disease, meaning, the greater the severity of alopecia, the greater the risk of coronary heart disease. Alopecia is also associated with an increased risk of hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome as well as elevated serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It has not been definitively established whether patients with androgenetic alopecia have a higher cardiovascular risk or prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and results of recent studies indicate that androgenetic alopecia patients do not show differences in insulin resistance or the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. However, androgenetic alopecia patients do show a higher cardiovascular risk, characterised by increased inflammatory parameters and Lp(a) levels. Data collected from female populations are scarce, but it would be interesting to extend our clinical knowledge with this type of data to further our understanding of the connection between androgenetic alopecia, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk. The divergence in results from different studies done in this context may simply be a result of the composition of the study populations with respect to age, gender, severity of alopecia, sample size and perhaps ethnicity. In this connection, a large group of androgenetic alopecia patients is necessary, including different representative groups and varying severities of alopecia. Furthermore, it is recommended that all women and men with androgenetic alopecia be thoroughly examined and that lifestyle changes are made early on to reduce the risk of various problems associated with metabolic syndrome, since androgenetic alopecia can be considered an early marker of metabolic syndrome.

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare, chronic, autoimmune bullous dermatosis affecting young children and adults. The exact pathogenesis of this disease is still unknown, although both humoral and cellular immune response are involved. Clinically, it may show heterogeneous skin manifestations. However, it is characterized histologically by linear immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposits over the basal membrane, causing subepidermal blisters. Studies on LABD are relatively sparse and most of the publications are small series or single case reports. Several treatments are reported in literature, however, they should be used with care due to the risk of side effects. We report a case of linear IgA dermatosis with generalized lesions in a 7 year old child, with good outcome under dermocorticoids and antibiotics.