Background:Core muscle dysfunction is a common complication after major abdominal surgeries, often leading to delayed recovery, postural instability, and an increased risk of hernia recurrence. Conventional physiotherapy, though effective, may lack the engagement required for long term adherence. Integrating gamification into rehabilitation introduces an interactive and motivating approach that enhances neuromuscular coordination and patient participation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a gamified digital balance platform in improving core stability among post abdominal surgery patients compared to traditional physiotherapy.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a gamified digital balance board in improving core stability in patients recovering from abdominal surgery by integrating interactive play based therapy with conventional rehabilitation.
Methods A quasi experimental study was conducted on 30 participants aged 30â40 years who had undergone elective or emergency abdominal laparotomy. Participants were purposively assigned to two groups: Group A (digital rehabilitation using a gamified balance board, n = 15) and Group B (conventional core exercises, n = 15). Both groups trained thrice weekly for six weeks. Core stability was assessed using McGillâs Core Endurance Tests, including trunk flexor, extensor, and side bridge endurance. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Among the 30 participants (median age 35.5 years, 20 women), both groups showed significant improvement (p < 0.05), but Group A demonstrated greater gains in core stability.
Conclusion: Gamified rehabilitation using the MEND digital balance board significantly enhanced core stability compared to conventional methods. This approach presents a valuable adjunct to traditional physiotherapy, promoting better engagement and improved outcomes in post surgical recovery.
Background: The longitudinal Attitude, Ethics, and Communication AETCOM module was introduced as a part of the competency based medical education curriculum to enhance studentsâ ethical reasoning, communication, empathy, and professional conduct. While gender differences in communication and professionalism are widely reported, it is unknown how AETCOM training influences these differences over time.
Purpose: To measure attitudes toward communication skills and professionalism among medical students during AETCOM training and to find gender differences, if any, and their change with time.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted among 150 MBBS students from two Kolkata medical colleges, one government and one private. Attitudes were measured at baseline during Phase I MBBS and at endline during Phase III using the Communication Skills Attitude Scale and the Pharmacy Professionalism Instrument. Gender wise differences were tested using non-parametric methods, and correlations among scales were examined using Spearmanâs rho.
Results: At baseline, female students reported significantly higher positive attitude scores (p = .016) and professionalism scores (p < .001), and lower negative attitude scores (p = .001). By endline, these gender differences diminished (p > .05). Both genders showed overall declines in professionalism scores, while median positive and negative attitude scores remained stable for male students. A consistent negative correlation existed between positive and negative attitude scales across time (Ï â â.40 to â.50).
Conclusion: Early gender differences were attenuated with time during AETCOM exposure, with a lowering of favourable attitudes among female students as opposed to steady attitudes among male students. The overall non improvement or decline in scores points toward limited retention and potential curricular gaps in sustaining positive attitudes. Integrating reinforcement based, reflective learning and longitudinal mentorship may strengthen the impact of AETCOM.
Background: Recent work has mapped a wide range of biotechnological tools for early cancer detection, ranging from microfluidics and liquid biopsy to biosensors, organoids, breath-based diagnostics, and artificial intelligence (AI), with explicit attention to primary and resource-constrained healthcare settings. However, global experience with multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests and liquid biopsy shows that technology alone does not guarantee earlier diagnosis or reduced mortality.
Purpose: This short communication proposes a pragmatic, pathway-first framework to complement tool-centric narratives and to help clinicians, policymakers, and innovators integrate emerging technologies into real-world primary healthcare systems, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Methods: A focused narrative synthesis of recent literature from 2022 to 2025 was performed on early cancer detection, MCED, liquid biopsy, biosensors, breath-based diagnostics, radiomics, and AI in oncology, prioritizing peer-reviewed sources indexed in major biomedical databases. Insights from implementation science and equity-oriented cancer control in LMICs were integrated to co-develop a framework aligned with healthcare delivery and organization.
Results: Three key blind spots in purely tool-focused narratives were identified, namely limited integration of implementation science and health system readiness, insufficient attention to affordability, reimbursement, and financing, and lack of use-case clarity across screening, triage, diagnosis, and monitoring. To address these gaps, the PATHS framework is introduced: Performance for purpose, Access and affordability, Trust and ethics, Health system fit, and Sustainability. Its application is illustrated for wearable biosensors, breath-based tests, paper-based microfluidics, liquid biopsy, and radiomics or AI at different levels of care.
Conclusions: Biotechnological innovation for early cancer detection is now rich and diverse. The next step is to embed these tools into implementable, equity-sensitive pathways. Adopting a PATHS lens can help readers move from asking âwhich tool is most exciting?â to âwhich tool, in which pathway, for which population, delivers the greatest real-world benefit?â, particularly in primary healthcare and LMIC settings where the marginal gains from earlier detection are greatest.
Background: The high and unregulated usage of antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs, and acid suppressant medications has brought several emerging issues related to public health, such as drug interactions, addiction to self-treatment, and antibiotic resistance. There is a need to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the population regarding these widely consumed drugs in order to establish effective education and regulation programs.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to measure the awareness and behavior of the general population in relation to the rational use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and acid suppressant drugs, as well as to establish the relationship between demographic factors and self-medication practices.
Methodology: The survey was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in which 400 participants aged 18 years or older were included. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in order to determine the level of knowledge, patterns of medication use, and the relationship between education, age, and self-medication behavior.
Findings: A total of 400 respondents participated in the study, with the majority being young adults aged between 18 and 25 years (58.5%) and having higher levels of education. Antibiotic use in the past six months was reported by (83.7%) of participants, with the most commonly used antibiotics being amoxicillin clavulanic acid (16.2%) and amoxicillin (12%). Prescriptions were used by (66%) of participants to obtain antibiotics, while (34%) accessed antibiotics without a prescription, and only half of the users completed the full course of treatment. Self-medication was common (67.2%), most frequently involving paracetamol and acid suppressant drugs, mainly due to previous experience (54.5%) or convenient access (21.5%). The use of acid suppressants was frequent (64.5%) and generally unmonitored. The main sources of information were doctors (43.8%) and pharmacists (29.8%), and (85.2%) of respondents expressed willingness to receive educational content, indicating the need to strengthen awareness regarding rational and safe drug use. Self-medication was prevalent across all education levels, and a statistically significant association was found between level of education and self-medication practices (p < 0.05). Failure to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics showed a strong and statistically significant correlation with the use of acid suppressant medications (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant lack of knowledge and widespread irrational use of antibiotics, NSAIDs, and acid suppressant medications. However, the high willingness of the population to receive education presents an opportunity for implementing community based educational interventions, pharmacist led counseling, and public health campaigns. Improving awareness and promoting the rational use of medications can reduce drug misuse and adverse effects and contribute to combating antibiotic resistance.
Background: Urban living has been extensively linked to schizophrenia, but it remains uncertain which specific environmental factors are accounted for in this epidemiological finding, as well as how they influence how the brain develops.
Purpose: To see the effect of urban settings on cognitive function and brain health.
Methodology: We examined a potential correlation of urban upbringing in the human brain, utilizing preclinical data for permanent neurological consequences associated with initial social anxiety.
Results: The level of population density, accessibility, road connectivity, the quantity of transit stops near the residence, land use mix, green space, neighbourhood resources, and the general quality of architecture in the surrounding area all showed a generally positive association with adults’ cognitive abilities.
Conclusion: The level of population density, accessibility, road connectivity, the quantity of transit stops near the residence, land use mix, green space, neighbourhood resources, and the general quality of architecture in the surrounding area all showed a generally positive association with adults’ cognitive abilities.
Background: Effective dietary control is fundamental to man-aging hyperglycaemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), due to its strong impact of nutrition on metabolic health. Persistent chronic hyperglycaemia (HbA1c â„ 6.5%) in T2DM individuals despite taking regular medication is quite common and may be a reflection of their adopted dietary pattern and existing nutri-tional status.
Purpose: Assessment of diabetes-related information, anthro-pometric measurements, and food intake of T2DM patients with hyperglycaemia (i.e., HbA1c â„ 6.5%) may help to elucidate their dietary approaches for T2DM management and reasons for el-evated blood glucose levels.
Methods: A sample size of 60 T2DM patients with uncontrolled blood sugar (HbA1c â„ 6.5%) was selected by purposive sam-pling. Background information, diabetes-related information, anthropometric information, diabetes history, food consumption pattern, and dietary intake were collected by direct interview.
Results: The findings of the present study revealed that the mean age of participants was 51.87 ± 10.92 years with a mean HbA1c level of 8.75%. The mean BMI and WHR were 25.25 ± 4.30 kg/mÂČ and 0.96, respectively, indicating the risk of diabesity. The av-erage daily intake of fats and milk products was high, while cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, other vegetables, and sugars were below the recommended levels. Participants tended to reduce their energy intake (1747.51 ± 369.71 kcal/day). Micronutrient intake such as Ca, Fe, Zn, vita-min A, riboflavin, and niacin was found to be approximately half of the reference values.
Conclusions: T2DM patients with uncontrolled blood glucose levels (i.e., HbA1c â„ 6.5%) showed high BMI and WHR, with a staple wheat-based diet and low consumption of fruits and veg-etables. Macronutrient intake was sufficient except for fat, while micronutrient intake requires attention.
Background: There is ongoing debate regarding the timing of denudation during In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedures because of its impact on oocyte quality and treatment outcomes. A process that involves both en-zymatic treatment and mechanical stripping can influence oocyte quality and maturity. For ICSI, denudation helps assess oocyte ma-turity and quality, while in IVF, cumulus cells are typically removed after fertilization to evaluate its success. Yet, the optimal timing for denudation is still not well-defined, necessitating further studies to understand its impact on assisted reproductive technology (ART) results.
Purpose: This review aims to assess how the timing of denudation affects fertilization rates and the formation of blastocysts in ART procedures.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature published between 2003 and 2024. A total of 32 articles were reviewed, and 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included. These consisted of original published research reporting on fertilization rates, pregnancy rates, embryo quality, and live birth rates. Animal studies were excluded from this review.
Results: This study shows that with denudation exceeding more than 5 hours, fertilization rates decline significantly, reaching as low as 27.3% at the 8-hour mark. The objective for the oocyte denudation timing interval from oocyte retrieval to ICSI is less than 5 hours to enhance the chances of fertilization. However, limited data on blastocyst formation are available; therefore, further studies are required to better understand the overall impacts on fertilization, embryo development, and clinical pregnancy rates.
Conclusion: Although the best denudation timing of oocytes is still unclear in ART, a pre-incubation of cumulus oocyte complex (COCs) for one to four hours post ovum pickup may be beneficial. An interval of more than four hours in COC denudation might be harmful. It is necessary to conduct further studies with upgraded protocols in order to create evidence-based guidelines to improve oocyte maturation, fertilization, and blastocyst development.
Background: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is an acquired disorder characterized by immune-mediated destruction of red blood cells due to the production of autoantibodies against erythrocyte membrane antigens. In the pediatric population, the clinical spectrum is wide, ranging from mild, self-limiting illness to rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening disease. Early identification, timely starting of therapy, and active monitoring are essential for optimal outcomes.
Purpose: The present case series aims to study the clinical presentation, course, and treatment outcomes of AIHA in children.
Methods: This case series was conducted over a period of two years (January 2024 to December 2025) in the Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Palakkad. The present case series analysed the children admitted with characteristics of AIHA.
Results: We identified 4 children who presented with lethargy, severe pallor, jaundice, and hemoglobinuria. Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) was done for all 4 patients. DAT was positive in 3 patients but negative in 1 patient. Treatment with steroids was given to all 4 patients after ruling out alternate causes for DAT-negative haemolytic anemia. One child among the 4 cases had a fulminant course with cardiac decompensation but was managed successfully. One of our cases developed features of steroid toxicity, and we had to cut short the steroid course after 3 months. All children were followed up for one year, and none had any relapse.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and early initiation of therapy have to be done in children with AIHA, and these children should be closely monitored for symptoms of steroid toxicity as they require a longer duration of steroid therapy.
In the field of musculoskeletal oncology, there has been a shift in ideology from local management of tumours with amputations to limb salvage surgery. Musculoskeletal oncology entered a new age of limb salvage due to advances in the fields of chemotherapy and radiation oncology, as well as in alloys, metals, and composites (Shojaie et al., 2023; Andrade et al., 2016). However, limb salvage is indicated only when we can achieve R0 margins and ensure that the major neurovascular structures remain uninvolved or reconstructible; salvage at all costs is a fallacy. Extensive soft tissue loss or a limb rendered insensate and ischemic is a contraindication to limb salvage surgery, where amputation would be a better functional choice.
The âvoidâ left behind after the resection of the diseased bone was filled with a metallic prosthesis. This gave our patients almost immediate freedom of motion, a stark contrast to the older philosophy of amputation/disarticulation. However, this came at a cost; we are not gods to provide bountiful gifts that last forever. The bones we replaced with metal had an expiration date, as initial results were good but were associated with multiple complications. We were essentially placing a mechanical part into a biological system and hoping the two would coexist. Hence, we argue that we have reached a definitive turning point and are moving out of the “Age of Mechanics” and into the “Age of Biologics.” Can we consider one method as superior to the other?
Background: Î8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Î8-THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid compound naturally occurring in the Cannabis sativa plant. The commercial Î8-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 Î8-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: Î8-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.
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