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Background & objectives: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contains valuable genetic information and plays a crucial role in missing person investigations, mass disasters, and forensic cases involving limited or degraded biological material. mtDNA is maternally inherited, with a highly variable control region divided into three hypervariable regions are generally used for forensic investigation. This study aimed to evaluate maternal inheritance patterns of mtDNA using PCR-RFLP techniques to confirm maternal relatedness. Method: The study was designed after prior permission from the institute’s ethical committee in which subjects were enrolled. This pilot study analyzed 50 voluntary participants (mother-child pairs). DNA was extracted from blood or saliva, and the mtDNA hypervariable region (HV region) was amplified by PCR using specific primers for the HV1 region. The amplified fragments (1024 bp) were subjected to RFLP analysis using seven restriction endonucleases (Alu I, BsuR I (Hae III), Hinf I, HsYF31 (Dde I), Mbo I, Rsa I, and SsPI) to reveal morphotypes. Results: The study identified five morphotypes for Alu I, three for BsuR I (Hae III) and Rsa I, two for Hinf I, and one each for HsYF31 (Dde I), Mbo I, and SsPI. There was minimal genetic polymorphism in the hypervariable region among unrelated individuals, but consistent restriction patterns were observed between mothers and their children in same pair. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the low genetic polymorphism in the hypervariable region among unrelated individuals and consistent restriction patterns within maternal pairs, underscoring mtDNA's utility in forensic and genealogical applications. 

This study explores the dynamics of social exclusion in healthcare settings within the rural Ganderbal district of Kashmir, focusing on the availability of health facilities and the health-seeking behaviors of socially disadvantaged populations. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from interviews and qualitative insights from observation, the research reveals significant disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban areas. Key findings indicate that rural residents face exclusion due to a scarcity of hospitals, unavailability of 24-hour medical staff, inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and systemic biases, compounded by environmental and occupational challenges. Communicable diseases predominate, with majority of respondents affected, and traditional healers and medical shops serve as primary care sources over formal institutions like government hospitals. Socio-economic factors, including low literacy, reliance on agriculture, and poverty, exacerbate these issues. The study highlights higher infant mortality and malnutrition rates in rural areas compared to urban centers, underscoring the need for attitudinal shifts among healthcare providers and systemic improvements in infrastructure and policy to enhance health equity. By addressing an underexplored gap in rural health research in India, this work aims to inform strategies for inclusive healthcare delivery, potentially yielding broader societal benefits through improved well-being and demographic dividends.

The limits of classical equivalent computation based on time, dose, and fractionation (TDF) and linear quadratic models have been known for a long time. Medical physicists and physicians are required to provide fast and reliable interpretations regarding the delivered doses or any future prescriptions relating to treatment changes. In this letter, we propose an outline related to the different models usable for equivalent and biological doses that are likely to be the most appropriate. The used methodology is based on: the linear-quadratic-linear model of Astrahan, the repopulation effects of Dale, and the prediction of multi-fractionated treatments of Thames.

Conventional antibiotics are resisted by bacteria at an increasing rate, prompting studies into the development of alternate antibiotic agents. This work demonstrates the fabrication and characterization of amine functionalized graphene quantum dots (af-GQDs) with starting materials of graphene oxide, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide by chemical oxidation and hydrothermal methods. The synthesized af-GQDs were characterized using analytical techniques such as UV-vis, fluorescence, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and morphological studies through TEM. TEM images showed that af-GQDs have smooth surface morphology with porous in nature and are spherical in shape with particle size less than 20 nm. The prepared af-GQDs show a quantum yield of 26.32%. A growth inhibition test was performed on E. coli and S. aureus for the prepared af-GQDs at different increasing concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration for the prepared af-GQDs on E. coli was found to be 55 μg/mL and for S. aureus was found to be 35 μg/mL. Percentage cell viability studies were performed on HeLa and Jukart cells for 24 hours at different concentrations. Both cells showed maximum cell viability percentage at the initial concentration. At higher concentrations, the cell viability is decreased for both cells but the Jukart cells show a minimum percentage of cell viability at higher concentrations than the HeLa cells.

Amyloidosis-associated kidney disease commonly manifests with chronic glomerular symptoms including heavy proteinuria predominantly albuminuria. Clinical presentation ranges from full-blown nephrotic syndrome, hematuria, and hypertension to renal failure. In India patients with chronic kidney disease are mainly attributed to hypertension and diabetes but an underlying etiology such as amyloidosis needs to be unearthed and shouldn’t be ignored as an etiology. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with hypertension and hypothyroidism who presented with frothy urine for several years, b/l pedal edema for 15 days. Over the past 3 months, there was a serial increase in creatinine. As per CKD-EPI equation, the patient was CKD-4. As the patient was suspected to be rapidly progressive renal failure; a renal biopsy was planned. Biopsy reports were suggestive of Amyloidosis. Glomerular, vascular, and tubulointerstitial deposition of amyloid was seen. Based on renal biopsy and IHC staining; the patient’s diagnosis was AA-associated secondary renal amyloidosis. Thus in this case renal amyloidosis was an unearthed etiology.

We investigate how the UV spectra of pyruvic acid (PA) and pyruvate are impacted by interactions with water molecules. In particular, we would like to understand the mechanistic origin of the blue shift in the n →− π∗ transition. Pyruvic acid is the simplest α-keto organic acid and is common in the environment. We use density functional theory to optimize geometries to determine excitation energies and find that the excitation energies of the two main pyruvic acid conformers and pyruvate blue shift when interacting with 1 to 4 water molecules, both in vacuo and in a solvent. The excitation wavelength is blue-shifted by 0.9-9.2 nm when adding water molecules to the lowest energy conformer of PA. Calculations of the UV spectra of pyruvic acid (PA) and pyruvate are crucial for understanding the impact of the interactions with water molecules.

Background: Obesity is a significant health risk linked to hypertension and heart-related disorders in adolescents, impacting their future well-being . Since, the present work is to determine the body constitute including percentage of body fat correlates with cholesterol level which associate with Body Mass Index. Methods: This cross-sectional work was held in 120 college girls aged 19-23 years of Bhavan’s Tripura College of Science and Technology, Anandanagar at West Tripura. Anthropometric measurements such as standing height, body weight, sub scapular and triceps skinfolds, waist &hip circumference were collected. These records were used to calculate Body Fat Percentage (%BF) and Fat Mass (FM). Waist and Hip ratio (WHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI). FM, %BF and biochemical studies such as serum cholesterol level were also used to measures the body fat composition. Results: According to the present study, 53.33% of girls have a normal BMI, 8.83% are underweight, 31.67% are overweight, and 6.67% are obese. WHR results indicate that 54.17% of participants are classified as obese and 45.83% as non-obese. Out of 114 (95%) girls with normal cholesterol levels of 16 (13.33%) students are pre-hypertensive and 10 (8.33%) students are hypertensive. Out of 38 overweight and 8 obese students 13.34% are in pre or hypertensive. Based on WHR, 65 (54.17%) female students are obese; out of 65 obese students, 12 (10%) and 7 (5.83%) female students are pre-hypertensive and hypertensive, respectively and this value is statistically significant (p value < 0.05). Out of 55 (45.83%) no-obese students 8 (6.67%) girls are pre-hypertensive and 5 (6.67%) girls are hypertensive. According to BMI female students who are overweight or obese (5%) also have excessive blood cholesterol.Conclusion: This study expressed clear evidence of correlation in BMI, serum cholesterol level and Hypertension. These results are important for epidemiological studies to identify the cardiovascular risk in obese adults and help to solve a health problem of present Youngers in their future life. This study serves as an early health warning for female college students.

Touch DNA, the minute quantities of DNA deposited through skin contact, has become a valuable tool in forensic investigations. However, the recovery of touch DNA from non-porous surfaces remains a challenging task, requiring optimized collection and extraction techniques to maximize DNA yield, because non-porous surfaces have smooth, non-absorbing material properties. This review explores various non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastic, and metal, analyzing their impact on DNA recovery efficiency. Different collection methods, including swabbing, tape lifting, scrubbing, and vacuum collection methods, are evaluated to determine their effectiveness in retrieving minute amounts of DNA from these surfaces. Through a comparative analysis of existing studies, this paper identifies which collection methods work best for different non-porous surfaces and why choosing the right technique matters. Factors such as surface type, environmental conditions, and collection technique performed, time duration, and so on can affect DNA recovery, making it crucial to use the most effective approach. This review also emphasizes the need for standardized protocols to ensure consistent and reliable results in forensic investigations. Having clear guidelines can reduce errors, improve DNA analysis, and make touch DNA analysis more reliable in forensic investigations. By focusing on these aspects, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts in refining touch DNA recovery strategies.

A 24-year-old male presented with epistaxis and gingival bleeding, physical examination revealed pallor and purpuric spots on the left upper limb. Laboratory findings showed pancytopenia. As part of the etiological workup for pancytopenia, a bone marrow aspirate was performed, revealing moderately cellular marrow with rare megakaryocytes and intranuclear inclusions in proerythroblasts. Parvovirus B19 testing in the bone marrow was conducted via nucleic acid extraction followed by PCR.