Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences

Kartagener's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, a subset of primary ciliary dyskinesia. It comprises the triad of situs inversus totalis, bronchiectasis, and chronic paranasal sinusitis. The incidence is 1:30,000 live births, while the male: female ratio is 1:1. Most patients of Kartagener's syndrome present in early childhood with common symptoms of frequent colds, chronic cough with excessive production of purulent sputum, and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections affecting respiratory functions. Kartagener's syndrome commonly presents as infertility in males and subfertility in females. We present the clinical and radiological findings in a patient of Kartagener's syndrome referred to us with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections.

The photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) originates from the spin–orbit interaction (SOI) of light. The literature indicates that the transverse spin-dependent shift, δH− (SDS), from the PSHE is weak (in the nanometer range) and difficult to measure directly. This study utilizes a plasmonic structure to improve the δH− in the PSHE. The obtained results of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of silicon nitride (Si3N4) significantly enhances the δH− relative to its absence; however, plasmonic material is present in both cases. The enhanced shifts exhibit a significant dependence on the resonance angle (θr) and the thickness of layers of the PSHE structure to attain the maximum increase in δH− of 350.82 µm at the plasmonic resonance condition. A systematic analysis of the centroid positions of the reflected beam indicates a distinct and constant separation of opposing spin components. Further, the improved δH− is utilized in cancer cell detection, as changes in the refractive index (RI) of cells facilitate the identification of cancer cells from healthy to cancerous. All examined cell types demonstrate that cancerous cells had a greater δH− than normal cells, owing to their elevated effective RI. These results illustrate that the proposed plasmonic-assisted PSHE structure offers significant enhancement and a high sensitivity of 439.30 µm/RIU for label-free detection of cancer cells.

Background: Neonatal bacterial meningitis remains a critical cause of mortality and long-term neurological sequelae in newborns worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens has complicated treatment protocols and increased mortality rates significantly. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of real-time monitoring systems for detecting MDR pathogens in neonates with bacterial meningitis and to assess clinical outcomes associated with early pathogen identification. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 428 neonates diagnosed with bacterial meningitis across eight tertiary care centers from January 2021 to December 2023. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) were employed for rapid pathogen identification and resistance profiling. Results: MDR pathogens were identified in 156 cases (36.4%). Real-time monitoring reduced time to appropriate antibiotic therapy from 72.4 hours to 18.6 hours (p<0.001). Mortality rates were significantly lower in the rapid-detection group (8.2% vs. 19.7%, p=0.002). Group B Streptococcus (28.3%), Escherichia coli (24.1%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.9%) were the predominant organisms. Conclusion: Real-time monitoring of MDR pathogens significantly improves clinical outcomes in neonatal bacterial meningitis by enabling earlier targeted therapy. Implementation of rapid diagnostic protocols should be prioritized in neonatal intensive care settings.

This work studies a magneto-optical surface plasmon resonance (MOSPR) sensor design that uses the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) concept, including cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet (CeYIG) and graphene to allow for very sensitive detection of magnetic fields at 632.8 nm. When subjected to a magnetic field, the CeYIG layer exhibits anisotropic optical behavior, explained by a permittivity tensor with nonzero off-diagonal components, thereby inducing magneto-optical (MO) activity. The magnetization is oriented along the z-axis, normal to the sensor surface. Notably, the proposed design achieves an extraordinary transverse spin-dependent shift (SDS) of approximately 237.93 μm with the external orbital angular momentum (EOAM) based centroid shift of 0.508 μm at resonance angle. This enhancement has enabled the MOSPR sensor to use as an ultra-sensitive PSHE-based magnetometer, with a maximal sensitivity of 11258.36 μm/RIU at a refractive index (RI) of 1.1 for detecting minute RI variations in the sensing medium. The proposed MOSPR sensor, performance enhanced by the integration of CeYIG and graphene with PSHE, demonstrates the importance of this sensor for next-generation MO sensing devices.

In situ gelling systems are an innovative class of drug delivery formulations that undergo a sol-to-gel phase transition under physiological conditions, such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength, at the site of administration. These systems are administered as low-viscosity liquids, which transform into semi-solid gels upon exposure to specific stimuli, thereby providing prolonged residence time, sustained drug release, and enhanced bioavailability. This unique property makes them particularly suitable for ocular, nasal, oral, buccal, vaginal, rectal, dermal, and injectable routes, where conventional dosage forms often suffer from rapid clearance, low absorption, or poor patient compliance. Various stimuli-responsive polymers, including thermosensitive, pH-sensitive, and ion-activated polymers, enable precise gel formation and controlled drug release. Preparation methods include temperature-triggered, pH-triggered, ion-activated, enzyme-responsive, dual/multi-stimuli responsive systems, and techniques such as spray-drying or freeze-drying. Evaluation parameters for these systems include visual clarity, pH, gelling capacity, viscosity, rheology, drug release, permeability, irritation, histological safety, sterility, and stability. Marketed formulations like Timoptic-XE®, Pilopine HS® Gel, and NasoGel® demonstrate their clinical utility. Recent advances focus on biodegradable polymers, nanocarrier integration, and tissue engineering applications. In situ gelling systems offer a versatile, patient-friendly platform for localized and systemic drug delivery, representing a promising approach to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce dosing frequency, and improve overall patient compliance in modern pharmaceutics.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate a combined Bcl-2–Ki-67 score and assess its correlation with TILs in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 40 cases of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, from January 2017 to June 2018. Immunohistochemically staining for Bcl-2 and Ki-67 was performed, and a combined score was generated by inverting the Bcl-2 score and summing with the Ki-67 score. TILs were evaluated as low (<10%), moderate (20–40%), and high (>50%). Correlation between the combined score and TILs was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, and interobserver agreement for TIL assessment was calculated using the Kappa coefficient. Results: Combined Bcl-2–Ki-67 scores ranged from 0–6. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the combined score and TILs (p=0.00105, Fisher’s exact test). Interobserver agreement for TIL scoring was high (κ = 0.82). Conclusion: The combined Bcl-2–Ki-67 score inversely correlates with TIL levels in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, highlighting its potential use as a prognostic marker. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these findings.

Objectives: Adenium obesum has a long history of usage in management of inflammatory illnesses; the current research intends to learn more about its phytochemical composition and assess its anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory efficacy in vitro using an ethanolic extract and column fractions. Methods:The plant was gathered, identified and Soxhlet apparatus used to extract it ethanol. A preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted in order to find out important constituents. Seven solvent systems were used to carry out TLC profiling to assist in proper fractionation. Subsequently, column chromatography was done and four pooled fractions were produced onbase of comparable TLC pattern. The stability of HRBC membrane was used to assess anti-arthritic action in vitro, whereas suppression of COX-2 was used to test anti-inflammatory capability.The GC-MS based analytical method was used to conclude bioactive compound in crude extract. Results:TLC profiling confirmed the presence of single spots with distinct Rf values across solvent systems. HRBC assay revealed that Fraction 4 showed the highest membrane stabilization at 100 µg/mL (91.80%), comparable to Aspirin (93.45%). In COX-2 inhibition assay, Fraction 3 exhibited the highest inhibition (72.08% at 100 µg/mL) associated to standard (85.06%). GC-MS analysis identified citronellal (64.37%), linalool (3.04%), and terpinen-4-ol (1.06%) among others, compounds well-documented for their anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusion:Identification and extraction ethanol with Soxhlet apparatus was performed on the plant. The initial screen of phytochemical was carried out to determine significant constituents. TLC profiling was done in seven solvent systems that helped in proper fractionation. Column chromatography was then performed and four fractions were pooled according to shared similar pattern of TLC results. The in vitro determination of anti-arthritic action was performed via HRBC membrane stabilization test and inhibitory response was evaluated in a COX-2 test. Identification of the bioactive compound in crude extract was done based on the analytical method of GC-MS.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn., commonly known as Indian gooseberry or Amla, is one of the most valued medicinal plants in traditional Indian medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. It is rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, alkaloids, and tannins, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological properties including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and antidiabetic activities. Recent studies have demonstrated that bioactive compounds such as phyllaemblicin B, phyllaemblinol, and phyllaemblicin G7 exhibit strong binding affinities to key SARS-CoV-2 proteins, suggesting potential therapeutic value in viral infections. Traditional and modern pharmacological evidence highlights Amla efficacy in enhancing immunity and managing disorders like respiratory infections, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oxidative stress-related conditions. A randomized controlled clinical trial in COVID-19 patients revealed that adjunct therapy with Amla significantly reduced hospital stay, improved oxygen saturation, and alleviated symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, without adverse effects. These findings substantiate its role as a safe and effective preventive supplement during viral pandemics. However, larger multicentric trials and mechanistic studies are needed to validate its clinical efficacy and establish dosage guidelines. This review compiles traditional knowledge, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, and clinical research evidence on Phyllanthus emblica to explore its potential as a preventive and therapeutic supplement for viral pandemics.