Dolphin (PG) Institute of Bio Medical and Natural Science

Background: Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is a common postural imbalance that often affects individuals, including college students who may spend extended periods sitting and studying. This syndrome is characterized by a specific pattern of muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction in the upper body. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and preventive measures for UCS is crucial for college students to maintain good posture and overall musculoskeletal health.. Objective: To approximate the prevalence of Upper Cross Syndrome among college students and measure associated neck-related disability and pain. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 300 college students aged 18–25 years from institutions in Dehradun, India, selected using a convenient sampling technique. Participants were evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and standardized clinical tests for pectoralis muscle tightness and trapezius muscle weakness. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean NDI score was 12.2 ± 10.5, reflecting mild to moderate neck disability, while the mean VAS score was 2.1 ± 1.9. Sixty participants (20%) demonstrated concurrent pectoralis tightness and trapezius weakness, confirming the presence of UCS. Trapezius muscle involvement was more frequently observed (57.6%) compared to pectoralis muscle tightness (20%). Conclusion: A notable proportion of college students exhibited features of Upper Cross Syndrome. Our findings emphasize the need for early detection, ergonomic correction, and targeted exercise interventions to control the burden of postural musculoskeletal disorders in young adults.

Entanglement of large whales in static fishing gear, specifically in pot fisheries, is an increasing issue worldwide. This study assessed the entanglement risk of Ireland’s three most frequently observed large whales, humpback ( Megaptera novaeangliae ), minke ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata ), and fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ), with pot fisheries within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. Pot fisheries in Ireland are steadily growing, increasing the likelihood of present, and future, negative interactions with whales. An estimated 85% of the Irish pot fisheries take place within the 12-nautical mile limit, resulting in an increased vulnerability for whales distributed near the coast. This study determined the likelihood of co-occurrence of pot fisheries and large whales, identified areas and times of the year where the risk of entanglement was highest, and reports on actual entanglement cases associated with pot fisheries. Humpback and minke whales have a higher risk of entanglement off the southwest and south coasts of Ireland, while higher-risk areas for fin whales were located off the south coast. This study also identified data gaps that need to be addressed to improve future assessments and identify risk areas at a finer spatial resolution.

Abstract The rise of antibiotic‐resistant pathogens necessitates eco‐friendly antimicrobial alternatives. This study reports the green synthesis of undoped and Cu‐doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Rhododendron arboreum leaf extracts from two altitudes (Chopta and Barlowganj), leveraging altitude‐driven phytochemical variation to enhance bioactivity. Characterization via UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM confirmed spherical ZnO NPs with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Cu doping resulted in smaller particles (35.6 versus 45.2 nm) and reduced zeta potential (−30.2 versus −35.7 mV), indicating improved interaction with bacterial membranes. The UV–vis redshift (360 versus 340 nm) suggested a reduced bandgap. Chopta extracts exhibited significantly higher phenolics (327.18 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (31.91 mg QE/g), and saponins (0.82 mg/g) (p < 0.05), correlating with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Cu‐doped ZnO NPs showed antibacterial effects against multidrug‐resistant strains, with inhibition zones of 20–23 mm, MICs of 4–128 µg/mL, and biofilm inhibition of 78%–88%, highest against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (87.6%) and Bacillus. cereus (85.5%). LC–MS/MS identified bioactive compounds such as rutin, quercetin, and gallic acid, which may contribute to the enhanced antibacterial effects. These findings suggest that altitude‐adapted R. arboreum improves the bioactivity of Cu‐doped ZnO NPs, supporting their potential use in wound healing, coatings, and biofilm‐resistant materials.

This study presents the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of different extracts from the peel of Punica granatum fruit against various standard microorganisms. Three P. granatum peel extracts were prepared with ethanol, methanol, and water, using standard protocol, followed by their qualitative phytochemical analysis. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of P. granatum peel extracts against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested. The phytochemical test of P. granatum peel extracts revealed the presence of therapeutic agents such as tannins. The highest antibacterial activity of the ethanolic P. granatum extract was against S. aureus, the methanolic extract against E. coli and aqueous extract against P. aeruginosa, while all the three extracts had the lowest antibacterial activity against S. typhi. The highest MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum bactericidal concentration) were attained by the aqueous and ethanolic extracts whereas the lowest was shown by the methanolic extract, against different bacterial strains. Also, the highest antioxidant activity shown by the ethanolic extract was at 500µg/ml, 400 µg/ml in case of methanolic extract, and 200 µg/ml in case of aqueous extract. Despite being a byproduct, P. granatum (pomegranate) peel has significant potential as a source of bioactive compounds with important health benefits. The type of solvent used can significantly affect the extract's chemical profile and biological activity, as the relative and absolute concentrations of the extracted compounds play a crucial role in determining their bioactivity.

Water security and availability are critical issues affecting societies worldwide, with North America and Europe being no exceptions. This review paper aims to analyze the current status, challenges, and potential solutions regarding water security and availability in these regions. By examining existing literature, policies, and practices, this paper provides insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing water resources management, including climate change, population growth, urbanization, pollution, and governance. In addition, it explores various strategies such as conservation measures, technological innovations, policy frameworks, and international cooperation to address the challenges and ensure sustainable water management in North America and Europe. Through a comprehensive examination of research findings and case studies, this review contributes to understanding the dynamics of water security and availability in these regions and offers recommendations for future actions.

Background: Stroke results in functional impairments across motor, cognitive, and sensory domains, often leading to signicant residual decits. Motor impairment, the most common consequence, is a major focus of rehabilitation, with many new therapeutic strategies emerging for recovery. While research has largely concentrated on lower limb motor recovery due to ease of intervention and mobility considerations, upper limb motor impairment remains a signicant challenge that requires continued attention in rehabilitation efforts. Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Task Oriented Training with Conventional Therapy versus Mat Exercises with Conventional Therapy to Improve Muscle Strength and Balance in Post Stroke Patients. Methods: Thirty acute and subacute stroke patients, with stroke onset < 2 weeks, were randomly assigned to two groups (15 each). Group A received task-oriented training with conventional therapy, and Group B underwent MAT exercises with conventional therapy. Muscle strength and balance were assessed using the MAS and BBS. Both groups participated in 45-minute sessions, six days a week, for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared to evaluate improvements in muscle strength and balance. Result: Both groups showed signicant improvements, but Group A (task-oriented training with conventional therapy) demonstrated greater gains in muscle strength and balance compared to Group B (MAT exercises with conventional therapy)(p<0.05). Conclusion: Both task-oriented training with conventional therapy and MAT exercises with conventional therapy improved muscle strength and balance in sub-acute stroke patients. However, task-oriented training with conventional therapy resulted in greater improvements in reaching forward, grasping, muscle strength, and balance after 8 weeks of intervention.

Introduction Smoking is a serious public health problem that leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Its harmful effects are more significantly seen in the respiratory system. Approximately 30% of smokers experience compromised lung functions. However, asymptomaticsmokers exhibit alteration in lung morphology. This study will give us a better understanding of the respiratory damages that may occur in asymptomatic smokers and if we can delay or prevent the same by the simple practice of Pranayama and Om chanting. Materials and methods An interventional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University, Gurugram, Haryana, India. The study duration was eight weeks, and a total of 135 subjects, including both male and female participants aged between 18 and 25 years, were included in this study. Baseline recordings of anthropometric parameters, spirometric parameters like forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV) in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow (FEF) between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75%), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC), peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) and for respiratory endurance - breath holding time at the end of inspiration (BHTi), breath holding time at the end of expiration (BHTe), 40 mmHg were recorded before the start of the study and again after eight weeks of alternate nostril breathing and om chanting performed for 10 minutes (5 minutes for each protocol). We also recorded nicotine dependence score with the help of Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). A comparison of spirometric parameters, respiratory endurance, and FTND was done using the paired t-test. Result All spirometric measures and respiratory endurance parameters showed significant increases, with the exception of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FTND, which showed no significant improvement. Conclusion Pranayama and Om chanting were found to increase respiratory muscle endurance and support better utilization of thealveolo-bronchialtree, which may help in better oxygenation and delay in onset of the symptoms of COPD.

The field experiments were conducted at the agriculture farm of BFIT Crop Research Centre, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during 2021–22 on the title- “Analysis of the consequences of a mixture of micronutrients on the parameters associated with wheat growth and yield”. A RBD (Randomized Block Design) of plot with eight treatments and three replications was used in this study. The experimental treatments included: T1 - Control (without fertilizer or any other growth activity), T2 - RDF (NPK) only, T3 - RDF (NPK) + Local Formulation(LF) Grade V 10kg/ha mixture of micronutrient on Soil Application (SA) only, T4 - RDF (NPK) + Local Formulation (LF) GradeV 10kg/ha mixture of micronutrient on Soil Application (SA) + 0.25% FS of micronutrient mixture @ tillering stage only,T5 - RDF(NPK) + Local Formulation (LF) Grade V 15kg/ha mixture of micronutrient on Soil Application (SA) only,T6 - RDF(NPK) + Local Formulation (LF) Grade V 15kg/ha mixture of micronutrient on Soil Application (SA) + 0.25 % FS @ tillering stages only, T7 - RDF (NPK) + Local Formulation(LF) GradeV 25kg/ha mixture of micronutrient on Soil Application (SA) only, T8 - RDF (NPK) + Local Formulation (LF) Grade V 25kg/ha mixture of micronutrient 0.25% Foliar Spray (FS) of micronutrient mixture @ tillering stage only. Significant 0.5% increases in spike length, spikelets/spike, spike/m2, number of tillers/m2, number of grains/spike, 1000-grain weight, grain, straw, and biological yields (ton)/fed were noted in the study's results. Additionally, the harvest index was found to be significantly higher in T8 only. The highest grain yield was achieved by T8 while lower yield of growth attributes / parameters was found in the control plot.