Background: Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid compound naturally occurring in the Cannabis sativa plant. The commercial Δ8-THC products are typically synthesized from cannabidiol (CBD), which may lead to the formation of various impurities. These impurities may contribute to unintended pharmacological or toxicological effects, highlighting the need for comprehensive safety assessment.
Purpose: This study aims to assess the pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles of Δ8-THC and its structurally related impurities using in silico methods, thereby providing preliminary safety insights before in vitro or in vivo experimentation.
Method: In silico ADMET predictions were performed using the pkCSM web server.
Results: All analyzed compounds possess good membrane permeability and showed favorable values for intestinal absorption. The skin permeability values were within acceptable limits, with the exception of compound 10 (log Kp value -2.443). This suggests that compound 10 may have significantly reduced dermal permeability. All compounds were also predicted to exhibit high Caco-2 cell permeability. Compounds 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 (0.704, 0.542, 0.531, 0.531, 0.648), and 11 (0.227) showed relatively low VDss values. This could influence their duration of action and tissue-specific effects. All the compounds are unlikely to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), based on predicted log BB and CNS permeability indices. Our predictions indicate that impurities 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 have the potential to inhibit the hERG channel, flagging them as possible cardiotoxic agents.
Conclusion: Δ8-THC and its structurally related impurities exhibited favorable absorption and distribution characteristics; variations in volume of distribution and dermal permeability, particularly for compound 10, may influence their pharmacological behavior. The predicted hERG inhibition by impurities 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 raises potential cardiotoxicity concerns. Future work should include in vitro and in vivo validation of these predictions, as well as expansion to include additional impurities formed under various synthetic and storage conditions.
Background: Cancer remains a major global health concern, and survival depends heavily on early diagnosis. Recent advances in biotechnology have led to the development of more efficient and less invasive tools for early detection of cancer, key for improving diagnosis in resource-limited healthcare settings.
Purpose: This paper reviews a wide range of biotechnological tools currently being explored for early cancer detection. The goal is to understand their strengths, limitations, and possible impact on both clinical practice and public health.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using peer-reviewed, open-access articles published between 2021 and 2025. Sixteen tools were grouped into eight themes, such as microfluidics, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) diagnostics, liquid biopsy, biosensors, organoids, breath-based tests, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-guided tools, and radiomics. Each tool was evaluated for its potential to be scaled for wider use, its ease of access, the strength of its clinical testing, and how well it can be incorporated into existing diagnostic systems.
Results: Several tools, such as wearable biosensors, breath-based tests, and paper-based microfluidics, showed strong potential for use in routine screening due to their low cost and ease of use. Others, like CRISPR and organoid models, are more complex but offer high accuracy and personalization. However, many tools still need wider validation across different populations and clinical settings.
Conclusion: While each tool has its own limitations, biotechnology is helping make cancer tests more accurate, less painful, and easier to access. If these technologies are developed carefully and adapted to local healthcare needs, they could improve early diagnosis and help reduce cancer cases around the world.
Background: For centuries, people have used traditional eye care practices using mineral-only treatments and herbal medicines to optimize their eye health. Many practices are documented in older texts, including the Sushruta Samhita, Ebers Papyrus, and Islamic texts. In a world moving towards integrative medicine, optometry is now reflecting on these traditional practices.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review traditional eye treatments and their potential place in modern optometric treatment by exploring their historical context, current use, pharmacological evidence, and clinical outcomes.
Methods: A literature analysis was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Key search terms were ‘herbal remedies,’ ‘traditional ophthalmic medicine,’ and ‘ocular health.’ Reports published in English articles from 2016 to 2025 that included information on traditional medicine and the way it is used in modern eye care were included in the study.
Results: Prevalence percentages of traditional medicines were found to be quite variable in rural and underserved areas; in rural India it’s at 25%, and Zimbabwe had 65.7%. Minerals, honey, ghee, and herbal extracts have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antioxidant properties. Catastrophic misuse can cause corneal ulcers or blindness; however, data summarize that it offers potential therapeutic benefits for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and dry eye syndrome.
Conclusion: Conventional eye medications may be available for use as an adjunct treatment; however, their safe incorporation into modern ocular care requires further clinical validation, standardization, and large studies.
Background: Cervical ripening is a pivotal step in the induction of labor (IOL), particularly in term pregnancies with an unfavorable cervix. While prostaglandins remain the cornerstone agents for this purpose, interest has grown in exploring the synergistic role of estrogen.
Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of dinoprostone followed by misoprostol (MC group) versus estradiol followed by misoprostol (ME group) in primigravida women undergoing IOL at term.
Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 172 primigravida women (86 per group) at term with singleton, cephalic presentation and Bishop score ≤6. The MC group received intracervical dinoprostone gel followed by up to three misoprostol doses; the ME group received vaginal estradiol followed by misoprostol similarly. Primary outcomes included change in Bishop score, number of misoprostol doses, and onset of active labor.
Results: The mean pre-induction Bishop score was lower in the MC group (2.77 ± 1.15) compared to the ME group (3.17 ± 0.86; p = 0.009), though final scores were similar (9.70 ± 1.53 vs. 9.73 ± 1.29; p = 0.872). Only 36% of women in the MC group required a third dose of misoprostol versus 100% in the ME group (p = 0.001). Successful ripening was achieved in 84.9% (MC) and 83.7% (ME), while establishment of active labor occurred in 86% (MC) and 90.7% (ME). Rupture of membranes was more frequent in the MC group (33.7% vs. 20.9%; p = 0.043). Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including cesarean section rates and NICU admissions, were comparable between groups.
Conclusion: Both protocols demonstrated comparable efficacy for cervical ripening and showed similar obstetric outcomes within the limits of this study. Dinoprostone may reduce the need for repeated misoprostol dosing. Agent selection should be tailored based on clinical context.
Background: Mobile phones are essential tools for healthcare workers (HCWs) but may act as reservoirs of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, contributing to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
Purpose: This study investigates bacterial contamination on HCWs’ mobile phones, their resistance patterns, and associated usage practices.
Methods: A six-month cross-sectional study was conducted at SGT Hospital, Gurugram. A total of 120 mobile phones (100 HCWs, 20 non-HCWs) were swabbed from commonly touched areas. Samples were cultured on standard media, and isolates were identified by morphological and biochemical methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus aureus was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. PCR assays targeting 16S rRNA and mecA genes were used for molecular confirmation of bacterial isolates and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). A structured questionnaire assessed participants’ mobile phone usage and hygiene practices.
Results: Of the 120 phones, 95 (79.1%) showed bacterial contamination. Predominant isolates included diphtheroids (37.5%), S. aureus (27.5%), Micrococcus (26.6%), Bacillus (13.3%), and Acinetobacter (5.8%). Among 33 S. aureus isolates, 16 (48.5%) were MRSA by culture, while PCR confirmed 14 as mecA-positive. Resistance was highest to penicillin, erythromycin, and cefoxitin. Contamination correlated significantly with risk behaviors such as phone use in washrooms and lack of cleaning practices (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Mobile phones of HCWs are major reservoirs of MDR bacteria, particularly MRSA, posing a hidden risk of nosocomial transmission. Implementation of standardized phone-cleaning protocols and behavioral guidelines is essential to reduce device-mediated infection spread.
Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are common mental health challenges among university students that may negatively influence their academic performance.
Purpose: This study aims to examine the association between depression, anxiety, stress, and academic performance among university students.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed to gather data from 85 students from De Montfort University (Leicester and Dubai campuses) selected through purposive sampling (77.6% female; M_age = 20.4 years). Participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Academic Performance Scale (APS). Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess relationships among variables, and simple linear regressions examined the predictive effects of depression, anxiety, and stress on academic performance.
Results: Academic performance showed significant negative correlations with depression (r = −0.50, p < .01), anxiety (r = −0.47, p < .01), and stress (r = −0.47, p < .01). Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly interrelated (r = 0.74–0.84), suggesting these psychological difficulties commonly co-occur. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that depression (β = −0.50, p < .001), anxiety (β = −0.47, p < .001), and stress (β = −0.47, p < .001) each significantly predicted poorer academic performance.
Conclusions: Mental health difficulties are prevalent among university students and can adversely impact their academic performance. The results highlight the importance of university-based interventions in supporting students’ emotional well-being and academic success. The findings can be relevant for psychologists, counselors, clinicians, educators, and parents; these stakeholders are encouraged to use strategies that address both cognitive and emotional challenges faced by students.
Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and common musculoskeletal issue that can affect both mobility and functional quality. Backward walking (retro-walking) has gained attention due to its ability to reduce pain and improve disability while maintaining strength, mobility, and balance in many other conditions. The aim of this study is to examine its therapeutic effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of pain related to postural low back pain and also improving functional abilities in adults aged 30–50 years.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether backward walking (retro-walking) can effectively reduce pain and improve daily functional activities in adults (aged 30–50 years) who are suffering from postural low back pain (LBP).
Methods: Out of 69 individuals chosen on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 34 participants with postural LBP were recruited and divided into Group A (control) and Group B (experimental). The six-week intervention for Group B included backward walking sessions three times per week, starting at 10 minutes per session and progressing to 30 minutes on a flat surface. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores were recorded pre- and post-intervention. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis, with paired and unpaired t-tests assessing differences within and between groups.
Results: Statistical evaluation revealed a significant reduction in pain scores post-intervention (p<0.001) and an improvement in functional abilities in both groups. However, Group B experienced a greater decline in NPRS scores compared to Group A.
Conclusion: Backward walking is an effective, non-invasive, and cost-efficient intervention for individuals with postural LBP. The study had a relatively small sample size, which limits its generalization. Also, the study was done for a shorter period; therefore, long-term effects remain unpredictable.
Background: Prostatic diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and carcinoma, are common in elderly males and contribute significantly to morbidity. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool, though its specificity for malignancy is limited.
Purpose: To evaluate the clinicopathological correlation of various prostatic lesions with serum PSA levels and age distribution.
Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at a tertiary care center in Nashik from August 2019 to December 2021. A total of 110 prostatic specimens, including TURP chips, needle biopsies, and open prostatectomy specimens, were analyzed. Histopathological examination, Gleason grading, and serum PSA measurement were performed. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo 7.2, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 110 specimens, TURP was most frequent (68.18%), followed by needle biopsy (26.36%) and open prostatectomy (5.45%). BPH was the predominant lesion (76.36%), while carcinoma accounted for 17.27% of cases. The 61–70-year age group had the highest incidence of both benign and malignant lesions (46.36%). Mean serum PSA was significantly higher in malignant lesions (89.82 ± 52.32 ng/ml) and atypical small acinar proliferation (54.93 ± 65.08 ng/ml) compared to BPH and PIN (7.56 ± 12.38 ng/ml). Gleason scores 7 and 8 were most frequent among carcinoma cases (31.57% and 31.57%, respectively).
Conclusion: BPH is the most common prostatic lesion in elderly males, while PSA levels correlate strongly with malignancy and atypical lesions. Histopathological evaluation and Gleason scoring remain essential for diagnosis and management.
Background: Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) is a major health threat to astronauts experiencing long-duration spaceflight. SANS is characterized by optic disc edema, globe flattening, choroidal folds, hyperopic shifts, and increased retinal thickness. These changes are primarily caused by cephalad fluid shifts and altered intracranial pressure (ICP), all of which have implications for visual function, mission safety, and long-term ocular health.
Purpose: This paper reviews the literature related to the cause, diagnosis, treatment, and optometric consequences of SANS and discusses the essential role of optometry in the eye care of astronauts, as well as possible translational applications for eye problems on Earth.
Methods: A systematic narrative review was conducted using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar over the period of 2010–2025. Studies focused on ocular changes in astronauts, imaging modalities (OCT, MRI, ultrasonography), and countermeasures. Results were categorized into diagnostic modalities, pathophysiology, interventions, visual performance, and optometric implications.
Results: Approximately 60–69% of long-duration astronauts exhibited visual changes compared to 29% for shorter missions. Similar studies failed to replicate the same direction of the SANS condition, although modeling found evidence of orbital fat edema and the risk of structural vulnerability to increased intracranial pressure or IOP. Diagnostic methods are noninvasive, thus potentially improving utilization in space. Diagnostic methods such as OCT, ultrasonography, fundus photography, and AI-facilitated algorithms likely have more sensitivity than traditional methods. Countermeasures such as artificial gravity, lower body negative pressure, and fluid-shifting garments partially mitigated the incidence of SANS. Functional performance included decreased contrast sensitivity, loss of stereoacuity, and transient refractive shift.
Conclusion: SANS is a multifaceted syndrome that encompasses intracranial pressure, fluid mechanisms, vascular and glymphatic drainage, anatomical considerations, and environmental stressors. Optometry plays a critical role in diagnosing, monitoring, and rehabilitation and can impart translational information related to disorders such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension and glaucoma.
Background: Glutaric aciduria type I (GA1) is a rare autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase, leading to the accumulation of glutaric acid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, and glutarylcarnitine. The condition predominantly affects the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex and is associated with acute neuroregression, dystonia, and macrocephaly. Early diagnosis and dietary management significantly improve outcomes, but delays are common in low-resource settings.
Purpose: This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum, diagnostic challenges, neuroimaging features, treatment strategies, and short-term outcomes of children with Glutaric Aciduria Type I (GA1) managed at a tertiary care metabolic center in Rajasthan, India, thereby highlighting the importance of early recognition and timely dietary intervention in improving prognosis.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of children diagnosed with GA1 at a tertiary care metabolic center in Rajasthan, India, between June 2023 to September 2024. Diagnosis was based on clinical features, biochemical analysis using tandem mass spectrometry (TMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), neuroimaging, and where available, genetic testing. Clinical presentation, neuroimaging findings, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results: Out of 44 children with suspected inborn errors of metabolism evaluated during the study period, 7 (18.4%) were diagnosed with GA1. The mean age at symptom onset was 7.4 ± 2.3 months, and mean age at diagnosis was 21.5 ± 16.7 months. Macrocephaly was present in 85.7%, and 71.4% had acute encephalopathic crises triggered by infections. All children exhibited dystonia; two also had spastic quadriparesis. Neuroimaging showed frontotemporal atrophy with open opercula in all cases and basal ganglia changes in six. Biochemical testing confirmed elevated glutarylcarnitine (C5DC) in all patients, and urine organic acid analysis revealed elevated glutaric and 3-hydroxyglutaric acid in six. Genetic testing in three children identified GCDH mutations, including c.1204C>T in two. A lysine-restricted diet, carnitine supplementation, and emergency care procedures were used to treat every child. Three children remained severely disabled, two had moderate dystonia, and three had minimal deficits after an average follow-up of 18.2 ± 6.3 months.
Conclusions: In infants with dystonia, developmental delay or regression and macrocephaly, GA1 must be suspected, particularly when combined with distinctive neuroimaging findings. Results can be greatly enhanced by early diagnosis and the start of dietary and supportive therapy. Expanded use of genetic counseling, early dietary intervention, and newborn screening is necessary to lower the long-term morbidity linked to GA1 in settings with limited resources.
