RKDF University

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) emerged as a serious opportunistic fungal infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus and corticosteroid exposure. Surgical debridement combined with antifungal therapy is the mainstay of treatment; however, predictors of surgical outcomes and mortality require further evaluation. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the operative profile, surgical outcomes, and predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis undergoing surgical management at a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 60 patients with confirmed COVID-19associated mucormycosis who underwent surgical intervention between June 2021 and May 2022. Clinical, radiological, operative, and outcome data were retrieved from hospital medical records. Results: The mean age of patients was 52.4 ± 11.6 years, with male predominance (68.3%). Diabetes mellitus was present in 86.7% of patients, and 81.7% had received corticosteroids during COVID-19 treatment. Sinonasal involvement was observed in 46.7%, rhino-orbital in 33.3%, and rhino-orbito-cerebral involvement in 20.0% of patients. Endoscopic sinus debridement was performed in all patients, while 23.3% required maxillectomy and 10.0% required orbital exenteration. At 90-day follow-up, 68.3% of patients recovered, 16.7% had residual disease, and overall mortality was 31.7%. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with intracranial involvement (p = 0.0008) and in those undergoing extensive surgical procedures (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: COVID-19-associated mucormycosis is associated with high mortality, particularly in advanced disease. Early diagnosis, aggressive surgical debridement, and prompt antifungal therapy are essential for improving survival. Disease extent remains the most important predictor of outcome.

This paper explores the advances in carbon capture technologies and their related costs. Our efforts are to cut down net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to zero by implementing carbon dioxide (CO2) removal strategies. Various CO2 removal technologies and their related costs have been discussed in this paper. Despite significant global efforts, the CO2 concentration in the air continues to rise, underscoring the need to deploy all available emissions reduction technologies. CCS plays a crucial role in achieving net zero targets as per the mutually agreeable Paris agreement clause, permitting CO2 capture from hard- to-abate industries such as cement, steel, and chemicals, alongside the decarbonisation of power generation. With the growth of CCS industries, scientific advancements and economies of scale have started to reduce the costs of capturing and storing CO2. This write up carries out an in-depth analysis of capture technologies and the CCS cost structures, the factors influencing cost variations, and strategies for cost reduction. The capture segment, which typically represents the largest portion of overall CCS costs, has shown tremendous improvements in both established and emerging sectors. This paper outlines the common and novel CO2 capture processes deployed commercially and the ones under development. The methods given are assessed for their applicability, maturity, and cost-effectiveness in different industrial contexts. The CCS is deployed in over 620 projects world over, with more than 50 operational facilities, CCS deployment continues to grow globally. The costs involved in a typical CO2 capture plant, as well as the major cost drivers and strategies for reducing these costs have been examined here. The overall trend in costs are also expanded upon with further studies and deployments across sectors enabling a deeper understanding of how costs changes with new facilities. To achieve net zero targets CCS technology needs to be adapted globally. CCS can directly reduce emissions across most industry sectors in both retrofit and new build applications. In hard to abate industries where CO2 generation is unavoidable, such as cement manufacture, ethanol fermentation, and ethylene oxide production, CCS is the only method to address CO2 emissions and enable these facilities to achieve their targets.

Urolithiasis remains a significant global health burden, characterized by the recurrent formation of crystalline calculi within the urinary tract. Despite advancements in lithotripsy and surgical interventions, these methods often fail to prevent recurrence and are associated with substantial costs. This review synthesizes current knowledge on medicinal plants as sustainable alternatives for the management of kidney stones. It explores the diverse phytochemical profiles of ethnomedicinal species, emphasizing the roles of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. These bioactive compounds exert anti-urolithiatic effects through multi-targeted mechanisms, including the inhibition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) nucleation, crystal growth, and aggregation, alongside potent diuretic and antioxidant activities. By examining both in vitro dissolution assays and in vivo rodent models, this paper highlights the synergistic potential of herbal formulations in mitigating oxidative stress and renal tissue damage. The findings underscore the necessity for standardized clinical trials to transition traditional botanical knowledge into evidence-based phytotherapies.

Mouth dissolving tablets have received ever-increasing demand during the last decade, particularly the Mouth dissolving tablets drug delivery systems formulated with natural polymers have more demand because natural materials are easily available, easy to administer, non-toxic and non-irritant nature etc. The main aim of the present study was to formulate the Mouth dissolving tablets of Aceclofenac using mango pectin powder, Guar Gum and Aloe Vera mucilage. The results obtained from the natural polymer were compared with the synthetic superdisintegrants such as Sodium Starch Glycolate, Crosspovidone and Croscarmellose Sodium. The Mouth dissolving tablets different superdisintegrants with varying concentrations were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, water absorption ratio, drug content, disintegration time and drug release. The mouth dissolving tablets made from natural disintegrants was found superior over a mouth dissolving tablets made from a synthetic polymer. Keywords: Mouth dissolving tablets, synthetic disintegrants, and natural disintegrants.

Rare diseases, though individually infrequent, collectively affect over 300 million people worldwide. The development of orphan drugs to treat these conditions is hampered by regulatory inconsistencies, high costs, and limited clinical trial populations. To systematically review the current landscape of orphan drugs and rare diseases, focusing on definitions, therapeutic approaches, health economic evaluations, and stakeholder perspectives. A systematic review was conducted using 70 reference-screened articles, out of which 10 were selected based on relevance to rare diseases or orphan drug policy, economics, or clinical management. Study types included systematic and scoping reviews, observational studies, and health economic evaluations. Data extraction focused on definitions, healthcare roles, cost analyses, and clinical outcomes. Definitions of rare diseases varied globally, impacting drug approval processes. Economic evaluations revealed disparities in funding orphan drugs. Studies emphasized the growing role of pharmacists and stakeholders in therapeutic access. High-cost burdens, ethical considerations, and diagnostic advancements were recurring themes. Pediatric and syndromic rare conditions, like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Turner syndrome, were notably covered. Effective rare disease care requires harmonized definitions, ethical pricing models, interdisciplinary healthcare roles, and evidence-based policies to ensure equitable access and sustainability.

ABSTRACTObjective:This research evaluates patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) following full-mouth rehabilitation (FMR), focusing on functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes.Methods:A prospective observational research was conducted on 50 patients who underwent FMR. Participants completed validated surveys assessing satisfaction and QoL at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months post-rehabilitation. Statistical analysis compared changes in QoL and satisfaction over time.Results:Patients reported significant improvements in satisfaction (P < 0.01) across functional and aesthetic domains. QoL scores showed marked enhancement in psychosocial and functional dimensions by 6 months post-rehabilitation. The relationship between clinical outcomes and QoL metrics demonstrated strong positive correlations (r > 0.7).Conclusions:Full-mouth rehabilitation significantly enhances patient satisfaction and QoL. Tailored treatment plans considering patient-specific needs are crucial for optimizing outcomes.

The extensive use of power electronics devices in power systems, including rectifiers and inverters, presents considerable issues regarding power quality. One problem is the creation of current and voltage harmonics, which result in load waveform distortion, voltage fluctuation, voltage drop, and equipment overheating. Harmonic current sources are prevalent in commercial, institutional, and medical establishments, encompassing computer power supplies, fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts, elevator motors, and electrical devices using switch-mode power supplies. Active power filters (APF) represent the most effective method for harmonic reduction and may be used across many applications. This study employs a digital active power filter to eliminate harmonics from the source current in a grid system characterized by non-linear demand. Nonlinear loads are essential components of every power system. The advent of power electronics has resulted in switching components constituting a substantial portion of electrical demand. These features create discontinuities in lines, exacerbating line losses and diminishing power quality and sine wave integrity. Passive filters effectively eliminate harmonics at specified frequencies within the design. Active filters, conversely, operate in accordance with the prevailing harmonics. This work develops a shunt active power filter that mitigates current harmonics generated by non-linear loads. The active filter includes a voltage source converter (VSC) that functions in conjunction with a DC coupling capacitor. The VCS delivers power at the point of common coupling (PCC). The reference current is obtained by the instantaneous power theory. The instantaneous power theory, or PQ theory, has been enhanced with the FIS control system to optimize DC voltage generation over the DC link capacitor. The fuzzy system substituting the PI controller has a 49-rule base structure organized in a 7x7 configuration for the generation of error signals. A comparative study of DC voltage and total harmonic distortions (THDs) is conducted using MATLAB software and the FFT analysis tool..

ABSTRACTHuman metapneumovirus (HMPV), a pathogen within the Pneumoviridae family, is a notable contributor to respiratory tract infections worldwide. Identified in 2001, HMPV predominantly affects young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The virus exhibits seasonal patterns, with infection rates typically increasing during late winter and spring. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, leading to symptoms ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe lower respiratory illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Recent surges in HMPV cases, notably the 2024–2025 outbreak in China, have underscored the importance of understanding its epidemiology, transmission mechanisms, and clinical impact. Despite its clinical significance, there are currently no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines available for HMPV, making prevention strategies and supportive care essential components of management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HMPV, including its virology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and preventive measures, with a focus on recent outbreaks and their implications for public health.

Abstract: With the proliferation of 5G networks, emergency services have the opportunity to leverage high-speed, low-latency communication systems. However, the reliability of 5G under crisis conditions remains a critical concern. This study investigates the reliability of 5G networks in emergency scenarios, evaluates the performance and limitations of current infrastructure, and explores mechanisms to enhance resilience and responsiveness. Using both simulation and real-world deployment data, we analyze failure modes, latency behaviors, and redundancy strategies. Our findings provide guidelines for network providers and emergency response organizations to optimize 5G deployment for mission-critical applications and shows the ways to enhance the performance parameters for 5G Network Reliability.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant concern globally. Horizontal transmission, where pathogens spread from one patient to another or from healthcare workers to patients, is a common route of transmission for hospital-acquired microbes. Factors such as inadequate hand hygiene, contaminated medical equipment, environmental contamination, and overcrowding can contribute to the spread of these pathogens within healthcare settings. Hand hygiene is one of the most critical meaure to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections. When performed effectively, it helps reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by removing harmful microbes from healthcare workers' hands, preventing the transmission of pathogens to patients and the surrounding environment. Aim: To evaluate the understanding of hand hygiene practices and critical moments in its implementation among medical students of phase I,II, and III. Materials and Methods: This study was done on a total number of 250 respondents who were enrolled in the MBBS curriculum in phases I,II and III in tertiary care hospital in India. A structured, self-administered questionnaire instrument was employed to evaluate hand hygiene, which consisted of three components: knowledge, attitude and self-reported practice regarding hand hygiene. The Z-test was applied to compare the percentage of correct responses between medical students, with a p-value of less than 0.05 regarded as statistically significant. Result: A total 250 participants were surveyed to assess their knowledge, attitude regarding hand hygiene practices. The results revealed that majority (80.8%) of students had moderate knowledge regarding hand hygiene, with significant difference between the two groups. The study also revealed that the majority of students held poor attitudes towards hand hygiene. Phase II/III students had significantly better attitudes compared to phase I medical students however there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the confidence with respect to knowledge in hand hygiene. Of the participants, 56% demonstrated good hand-hygiene practice, 26.8% had moderate practices and 17.2% showed poor practice. Conclusion:&nbsp; Evaluating students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hand hygiene is essential for understanding their awareness and behavior in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The present study emphasizes the need for conducting regular training sessions on hand hygiene practices for healthcare workers. To develop a knowledgeable attitude and effective practices towards hand hygiene, education on the topic should be introduced early in the curriculum, with continuous training provided at regular intervals.