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Mass serological screening in the Armed Forces involves detecting serological markers of chronic infections, particularly viral hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV among young militaryrecruits. The objective of this study is to evaluate the analytical performance of the chemiluminescence technique (CMIA-Architect i2000 SR) in mass serological screening using the serum-pooling method at the virology laboratory of the Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital.Samples with known serological results (positive/negative) were grouped into pools of different sizes (2, 5, 10, and 15 sera). These pools were tested using chemiluminescence (CMIA-Architect i2000 SR). A cost analysis was conducted to assess potential savings based on seroprevalence and pool size.Results showed that the pooling method maintained 100% specificity. Overall sensitivities for detecting positive samples were 93.1% for HBV, 83.33% for HCV, and 86.36% for HIV. Positive and negative predictive values were high for all three viral markers, highlighting the reliability of the pooling method. Additionally, this approach generated significant cost savings, ranging from 46% to 80%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the solid analytical performance of the chemiluminescence technique (CMIA-Architect i 2000 SR) using the serum-pooling method for detecting HBV, HCV, and HIV serological markers in low-seroprevalence regions.

Aim: This prospective study reports the acceptance testing of the Symbia Intevo Bold SPECT/CT scanner (Siemens Healthineers), recently installed at SQCCCRC, University Medical City, Muscat, Oman, before its clinical implementation.Materials and methods: The acceptance tests were performed using a Low Energy High Resolution (LEHR) collimator and Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) as the radioactive source, following the manufacturer’s protocols. The tests included physical inspection, peaking and tuning, intrinsic and extrinsic uniformity calibration, intrinsic energy resolution, and planar spatial resolution without scatter. Key performance parameters such as full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), system sensitivity, and count rate performance were evaluated.Results: All critical acceptance tests, including intrinsic energy resolution, energy calibration (symmetric curve), and extrinsic uniformity with the LEHR collimator, were completed and met the required specifications. System sensitivity and count rate performance were within the expected ranges, confirming the system’s readiness for clinical use.Conclusion: The Symbia Intevo Bold SPECT/CT system passed all performance tests successfully. The acceptance testing validated the system’s optimal performance following international standards, ensuring its suitability for clinical operations.

Introduction: Research provides a framework for Anesthesia residents who are critical thinkers who approach clinical practice with an open mind. The goal of this study was to determine current attitudes regarding performing research during residency as well as perceived obstacles to doing so. A resident physician should be ready to face the challenges of the growing technology, tons of journals published in different portals, and increasing sophistication of the health care delivery system. Practice-based learning, systems-based practices, and medical knowledge are the vital core directly affected by strong research skill set. Methods: The study was done through a survey of all 15 current residents in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Anesthesia Resident. They answered a 13 self-administered survey, which was adopted from previous similar research. Data was collected for 1 week to give time to the busy schedule of the resident. Results: Respondents cited that the lack of time in balancing clinical and research responsibilities is the most common obstacle encountered by 86.7% of respondents. Researchers feel they have inadequate research skills and a lack of time in balancing responsibilities between family and work was among the most common answers by the respondents. 2nd prevalent barrier to research during residency was a lack of mentoring. Conclusion: The top barriers to research are lack of time and inadequate access to research mentors. These barriers can be addressed to optimize the current research environment for residents. Anesthesia residents identified several critical aspects that they believe are obstacles to research. These findings can be used by programs to overcome hurdles and increase the inclusion of research into residency training.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme of the folate cycle, which is required to convert 5,10-methyltetrahydrofolate into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methylTHHF). 5-methyl THF is a methyl group donor for several cellular methylation processes. It also donates methyl group for the conversion of homocysteine into methionine, the higher concentration of which is toxic. MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism is clinically important polymorphism and the variant MTHFR (A222V) enzyme has reduced activity, hence increasing the requirement for folic acid. Less conversion of folate to 5-methyl-THF due to C677T polymorphism results in a higher plasma concentration of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia). Individuals having C677T polymorphism are susceptible to various diseases, including reproductive problems like male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), Preeclampsia (PE), placental abruption, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. MTHFR C677T polymorphism mimics folate deficiency, and folate is required for DNA synthesis, repair, methylation, and proper chromosome segregation, and all these processes are important for foetal growth and normal development. Methylation and demethylation processes control the gene expression of about 45% of human genes. Impaired methylation influences the expression of genes involved in the regulation of hormones, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis. In males, oxidative stress damages sperm DNA decreases sperm motility, and may impair fertilization capability. In pregnant women, hyperhomocysteinemia increases oxidative stress and inflammation within the placenta, which causes damage to placental tissue, impairs its function, and disrupts foetal development. Further, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is embryotoxic and neurotoxic and is responsible for congenital anomalies in the foetus. This review supports the idea that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with an increased risk for male infertility, PCOS, RPL, PE, and congenital anomalies. This review may provide a clue toward a better understanding of the correlation between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and its detrimental effects on human reproductive health.

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.

The concurrent emergence of dengue fever and the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to India’s healthcare system, particularly in Western Rajasthan, a region characterized by its arid climate and unique socio-demographic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and molecular characteristics of dengue during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on trends, diagnostic challenges, and serotype distribution. Conducted at Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur, in 2021, the study included 550 dengue-positive patients confirmed via rapid diagnostic tests and further analyzed using Dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody ELISA. Molecular characterization was performed using RT-PCR for serotyping.The results revealed a male predominance (72.36%) and a higher incidence in the 21–30-year age group (39.09%). Urban areas accounted for 67.73% of cases, with significant NS1 and IgM positivity (p = 0.042 and p = 0.004, respectively). Most cases (86.91%) were managed outpatient, though IgM positivity was significantly higher among hospitalized patients (19.19%, p < 0.001), indicating severe or prolonged infections. Platelet counts were above 100,000/mm³ in 86.91% of cases, with only 0.37% showing critically low counts (< 20,000/mm³). Seasonal analysis showed a peak in October (n = 325), correlating with post-monsoon vector breeding. Serotyping identified DENV2 as the dominant strain (97.42%), associated with severe dengue manifestations, including Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF).The study highlights the dual burden of dengue and COVID-19, emphasizing the need for enhanced vector control, improved diagnostic strategies and public health interventions during overlapping outbreaks. The predominance of DENV2 underscores the importance of serotype-specific surveillance and preparedness to mitigate future dengue epidemics in the region.

In sports medicine, the recovery process for injuries to the musculoskeletal system has been well established, including the recovery time until the athlete can compete again to prevent relapses. These decisions support the sports physician in acting with greater confidence. However, there are no clear criteria and protocols for other systemic diseases. In the following study, we report our experience and suggest an action protocol for a professional basketball team.

This editorial explores the crucial yet often overlooked role of sleep in enhancing student-athlete performance and well-being. It highlights sleep’s impact on physical recovery, cognitive function, and emotional stability, emphasizing the unique benefits for athletes. The editorial examines the detrimental effects of early school start times on adolescent sleep patterns and their subsequent impact on academic and athletic performance. By advocating for policy changes that prioritize sleep, such as delaying school start times, this editorial presents a novel approach to optimizing student-athlete success. Through a synthesis of current research and practical insights, it urges stakeholders in education and sports to recognize and act upon the foundational importance of sleep, positioning it as a key component of athletic and academic excellence.

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and PsycINFO to locate cyberbullying research that was published during the last 4 years. In this narrative review, cyberbullying research is briefly summarized and critiqued. The review is focused on the varying definitions and characteristics of cyberbullies, victims and bystanders. Highly variable prevalence rates have been reported for cyberbullies, victims and bystanders as a function of age, gender, country, size of the social network and socioeconomic factors. In addition, the effects of cyberbullying are reviewed including the frequent suicide attempts along with risk factors/predictors of cyberbullying which include previous cyberbullying, excessive internet use and lack of empathy, anger, narcissism and authoritarian/permissive parenting. To reflect the recent literature, special attention is given to the studies on victims of bullying. Research on cyberbullies and on prevention/intervention programs for bullying is extremely limited despite the increasing prevalence of bullying and the rapidly accumulating literature. Methodological limitations include the primary focus on the prevalence of bullying and on the victims of bullying. Longitudinal, multivariate studies are needed to identify profiles on risk factors for bullying that can inform prevention programs.

In this study we proposed carbonic anhydrase (CA) as an important element of basal resistance during the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-Phytophthora infestans interaction. We found a different β-CA expression pattern in incompatible vs. compatible systems correlated in time with CA enzyme activity. Resistant potato leaves supplied with dorzolamide (an inhibitor of carbonate CA activity) and challenged with the pathogen showed an elevated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, which was the most evident during the early phase of NO burst (at 3 hpi) during hypersensitive response (HR). In vitro application of dorzolamide and effective inhibitors of NO synthesis confirmed the implication of CA activity in NO metabolism during potato defense. To clarify how suppression of CA carbonate activity translates into the complexity of NO-related responses leading to potato resistance or susceptibility to an oomycete pathogen we analysed expression of NPR, PR1, and PAL. Taken together, pharmacological damping of CA activity revealed a functional link between CA and NO-dependent signaling in potato defense against P. infestans manifested by accelerated NO formation and a modified salicylic acid defense pathway. The dorzolamide-mediated effective responses for basal resistance also delayed symptoms of late blight in the susceptible potato cultivar, without overcoming HR formation in the resistant one.