Global Open University

The eye is one of the primary structures of the body that allows perception of the entire world. A person's activities rely entirely on having good vision, and any diseases or problems encountered with vision create a troublesome condition in life. Ocular delivery can potentially treat numerous eye-related disease conditions. The diseases that affect the eyes include glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, cataracts, conjunctivitis, diabetic retinopathy, keratitis, uveitis, Endophthalmitis, allergies, and others. The conventional dosage forms (eye drops, ointment) pose numerous challenges in treating ocular infections owing to their complex nature and several barriers. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning provide a preliminary diagnosis in the early stages of disease identification and are also useful during retinal surgery. The poor ocular penetration, low bioavailability, short retention time, and frequent administration are the limitations of conventional treatments. These limitations are easily solved with nanotechnology-driven approaches. The current state-of-the-art review explores eye physiology, barriers (precorneal, corneal epithelium, lacrimal sac, blood-ocular, and efflux protein), limitations of the conventional and nanotechnology-based delivery (Lipid-based, polymer-based, metal and inorganic NPs, vesicle-based NPs, and miscellaneous). These nanocarriers facilitate good permeation, extended retention time, augment solubility, improve bioavailability, improve patient comfort and compliance, and minimize dosage application. The nanocarriers are equally effective in treating the anterior and posterior regions of the eyes, whereas conventional ones have failed to treat them effectively. The recently approved agents and patents are elaborated on ocular drug delivery. Advancements in stem cell and gene therapy are also gaining attention for treating inherited and acquired retinal diseases.

Solar and wind are the most prevalent resources due to their accessibility and the simplicity of their conversion into power. Each renewable resource necessitates a DC/DC boost converter with MPPT management for power generation. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology is utilized to achieve optimal efficiency in photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems. Perturbation and Observation-MPPT approach is employed in photovoltaic systems where direct current voltage serves as the perturbation variable. In wind energy systems, a perturbation variable in the form of direct current is utilized in the modified perturb and observe maximum power point tracking algorithm. The modified perturb and observe technique exhibits stability and rapid tracking in response to abrupt changes in wind speed. The greatest Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique employed with a boost converter optimally takes the greatest power from the available source. The simulation of both renewable energy sources is conducted independently in PSIM 9.0 utilizing various MPPT approaches.

In analysing China's assertiveness in the South China Sea, this chapter utilises the theory of offensive realism from international relations to determine whether China functions as a superpower. Through an evaluation of China's approaches in economic and military domains from 1974 to 2014, the analysis demonstrates the drive for regional dominance. The analysis shows that China's behaviour mostly aligns with what is typical for a superpower in eight of nine cases studied. The study emphasises China's strategy to seize regional resources, which deepens its economic potential and militaristic strength and ultimately raises the likelihood of control over regional areas.

IntroductionThere are many novel toothbrushes available in the market today. The most sustainable option among natural toothbrushes like bamboo toothbrush, neem toothbrush, etc., when compared to the plastic toothbrush, bamboo and neem toothbrushes are biodegradable and can reduce the plastic waste.AimThe aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of plaque removal using conventional toothbrush, bamboo toothbrush, and neem toothbrush.Materials and methodsA randomized, parallel study was conducted among 150 schoolchildren, aged 6–12 years, for a period of 3 months. Three types of toothbrushes were used—plastic toothbrush, bamboo toothbrush, and neem toothbrush. Follow-up was taken at 1 month and 3 months.ResultsIn this study, the average plaque scores were as follows: for group A, they were 1.55 ± 0.51 before the operation, 0.66 ± 0.44 after 1 month, and 0.55 ± 0.40 after 3 months. Group B had preop scores of 1.63 ± 0.44, which dropped to 0.55 ± 0.6 after 1 month and 0.48 ± 0.5 after 3 months. Group C's preop plaque scores were 0.92 ± 0.59, decreasing to 0.39 ± 0.44 at 1 month and 0.30 ± 0.4 at 3 months. The p-value for all three groups was 0.001, indicating statistical significance, as it is below the 0.05 threshold.ConclusionNatural toothbrushes are equally effective as conventional toothbrushes for plaque removal, are ecofriendly, and biodegradable. Natural toothbrushes can be used as an alternative to plastic toothbrushes. However, additional studies would be required in order to implement these results.How to cite this articleRanwa S, Manohar B, Patel R, et al. A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Plaque Removal Using Conventional Toothbrushes, Bamboo Toothbrushes, and Neem Toothbrushes among School-going Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(4):420–424.

Abstract: Peptic ulcers refer to a range of digestive tract ulcers occurring in the stomach or duodenum. Their formation depends on the acidity of gastric juice and peptic activity, com-bined with a breakdown in mucosal defenses. Two primary factors contributing to disrupted mucosal resistance are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Various natural products have been evaluated as potential therapies for numerous diseases, including peptic ulcers, with extensive pharmacological re-search focusing on the antiulcer activity of specific compounds. This study aims to review the literature on medicinal plants and alkaloids with antiulcer prop-erties. Specifically, it evaluates the antacid, anti-peptic, gastroprotective, and/or antiulcer ef-fects of commonly used herbal medicines and their active constituents. Experimental models used to assess antiulcer activity include cold restraint stress-induced ulcers, diclofenac-induced ulcers in rats, HCl-ethanol-induced ulcers in mice, and water immersion stress-induced ulcers in rats. The primary objectives in treating peptic ulcer disease are pain relief, ulcer healing, and the prevention of recurrence. Approximately 70% of patients with peptic ulcers harbor H. pylori infection, and eradicating this microorganism is considered curative. This review focuses on drugs derived from medicinal plants commonly used worldwide for treating peptic ulcers, em-phasizing their antiulcer and gastroprotective effects.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one-third of these deaths occur prematurely. Since there are not many studies on these rural communities to identify the prevalence rate and associated risk factors, so the investigators have selected this study for proper risk identification, assessing the prevalence rate and educating and motivating adults on appropriate screening, prevention, and treatment. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in a rural community in West Bengal, India. Total 100 numbers of adults were selected for the study. The prevalence rate and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were assessed using the structured interview schedule and physical measurements. Results: The result reveals that regarding behavioural risk factors of Cardiovascular diseases, among the 100 participants, 60(60%) consume Tobacco products and 81 (81%) consume Alcohol, Adequate consumption of Fruits and vegetables is only 10(10%) i.e. more than 5 times in a week, 19(19%) perform sufficient physical activity/exercise i.e more than 150 minutes/week. Regarding physical assessments, the overweight was 19(19%) and obesity was 9(9%), the abdominal obesity in males was 31(31%), and in females was 35 (35%). The prevalence rate of Hypertension was 23(23%), Stroke was 2(2%), Coronary Heart Disease was 7(7%), High blood cholesterol was 2(2%), and Diabetes Mellitus was 11(11%). Conclusion: The study demonstrated the high burden of fatal CVDs and identified the impact of CVDs risk factors such as hypertension, self-reported diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol, and abdominal obesity. The significant incidence of CVDs risk factors in the rural communities, particularly among those who are overweight or obese, necessitates early clinical identification, referral and appropriate management of clients in primary health care settings

In this innovative study, a cutting-edge dual-channel closed-loop supply chain model with sensor data integration for third-party recycling has been effectively developed. Our innovative study provides unmatched insights into the world of consumer electronics by examining the effects of fund management regulations and retail e-commerce participation on three different choice scenarios. The compelling results show that retail e-commerce, the revolutionary force in the retail industry, has a tangible impact on the pricing and profits of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. In response to this trend, the wholesale pricing strategies of consumer electronics manufacturers have been adapted to maximize profitability within the retail e-commerce landscape. Fascinatingly, the impact of retail e-commerce involvement remains impervious to the recycling decisions and optimal profits of third-party recyclers. In consumer electronics, fund-handling policies are crucial in boosting the number of product recoveries and driving up prices for businesses in the forward supply chain. Although manufacturers’ market share is affected by retail e-commerce, overall product demand is unaffected. On the other hand, putting fund-handling policies into place indicates a decline in overall market demand. This innovative study uses sensor integration to unlock the complex dynamics of the interesting field of digital supply chain management.