Vinayaka Missions University

Background: Homoeopathic medicines such as Aerva lanata, Hydrangea arborescens, Berberis vulgaris, and Sarsaparilla are commonly used to treat kidney stones. Scientific research is needed to understand their effects on calcium oxalate crystallisation, a key factor in urolithiasis. Objective: The study evaluated the in vitro effects of Aerva Lanata, Hydrangea Arborescens, Berberis Vulgaris, and Sarsaparilla in Q, 6C, and 30C potencies on calcium oxalate crystallisation. It aimed to identify which potency had the strongest inhibitory effect compared to Ethanol (90%). Methods: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals were synthesised by mixing calcium chloride and sodium oxalate, then cooled to 37°C to achieve a concentration of 0.8 mg/mL in Tris buffer (pH 6.5). Homoeopathic remedies (Aerva lanata, Berberis vulgaris, Hydrangea arborescens, and Sarsaparilla in Q, 6 C, and 30 C potencies) and ethanol (90%) were tested at concentrations of 1000 to 10 µg/ml. After 24 hours at 37°C, turbidity was measured, and crystal morphology was examined under an inverted light microscope. Results: Aerva lanata Q, Aerva lanata 6C, and Berberis vulgaris Q significantly inhibited stone formation compared to the ethanol control group, with Aerva Lanata Q demonstrating the most pronounced effect. Light microscopy revealed diverse crystal morphologies, underscoring the role of Calcium Oxalate crystals in kidney stone formation. Conclusion: Aerva lanata and Berberis vulgaris show potential in inhibiting calcium oxalate crystal formation, suggesting a role in preventing urolithiasis.

Enterobius vermicularis also known as pinworm is one of the most common parasitic infestations in humans. Repeated cycles of reinfection make it difficult to eradicate. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the efficacy of drugs in achieving remission and preventing recurrences of pinworm infestation. This was an open-label randomized controlled trial conducted from March to August 2025 at Karaikal, Puducherry. Children aged 2-12years (n = 126) with confirmed pinworm infestation were randomized to one of the three groups (1:1:1)- albendazole (400mg stat dose), mebendazole (100mg stat dose) or pyrantel pamoate (11mg/kg stat dose) with a repeat dose of same drug after two weeks. The efficacy of the three drugs was compared by using a novel objective symptomatic remission (clearance of worms after treatment initiation) and recurrence (no reappearance of worms after remission) scores. Each parent was explained the hygiene measures to be followed and compliance to hygiene was checked in a diary during subsequent visits. Albendazole, Mebendazole and Pyrantel pamoate achieved the highest remission score in 70.5%,59.5% and 67.5% respectively; (P value = 0.483). The highest recurrence score was achieved by Mebendazole in 97.6%, followed by pyrantel pamoate (82.1%) and albendazole (69%); (P value = 0.010). The majority of the children (n = 113) practiced proper hygiene, among whom,102 (90.3%) had no recurrence of worms; P value = 0.001. Albendazole, mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate had similar efficacy in inducing remission, while mebendazole was better than the other two agents in preventing recurrences.

Stroke rehabilitation often requires advanced assistive systems to restore upper-limb functionality. This study presents an electroencephalography (EEG)-driven, six-degree-of-freedom robotic exoskeleton designed to support motor recovery through real-time brain–computer interface control. EEG signals were de-noised using wavelet packet decomposition combined with a Gaussian Mixture Model for improved clarity and feature retention. Extracted features were classified using a Random Forest algorithm, achieving an average accuracy of 85% in detecting motor intentions. The proposed preprocessing led to a 12% increase in SNR and a 15% reduction in RMSE compared to baseline methods. Response Surface Methodology was employed to optimize key kinematic factors joint angle, movement duration, and limb velocity demonstrating significant effects on EEG signal fidelity and control precision. The results highlight the potential of integrating adaptive machine learning with exoskeleton systems to enhance neuro-rehabilitation outcomes.

Abstract Transgender youth often face exclusion from traditional therapeutic, educational, and community spaces, placing them at greater risk of mental health distress and social isolation. In this context, social media platforms such as Reddit, Discord, and Facebook have become vital, self-constructed support environments. This study explores how participation in online trans-specific support groups constitutes an emotional occupation—providing affective regulation, identity affirmation, and communal resilience. Using an interpretive qualitative approach, this study analyzes digital narratives and observed interactions across selected online communities, including trans and non-binary support groups on Reddit and Discord. Thematic analysis was conducted to examine how users described their engagement in these spaces and the occupational meanings they attached to them. Four themes emerged: (1) occupation as survival; (2) emotional anchoring through shared identity; (3) temporal rhythms of digital belonging; and (4) navigating digital safety and boundary-setting. Online support networks serve as therapeutic occupations for trans youth, embedded with emotional, social, and survivalist dimensions. Recognizing these occupations challenges conventional frameworks of therapy, expands digital occupational theory, and calls for inclusive, justice-driven occupational science.

Excess screen time is an emerging hazard to physical and mental well-being of children. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to assess and compare knowledge regarding screen exposure guidelines among 100 mothers and 150 primigravida antenatal women (AW) using a questionnaire framed based on the Indian Academy of Paediatrics parental guidelines. Only 16% of mothers and none among the AW exhibited good knowledge while 48% of mothers and 79.3% of AW demonstrated poor knowledge (p = .01). Mothers showed higher awareness regarding the minimum permissible age to introduce social media platforms, whereas AW exhibited a higher knowledge regarding ill effects of excess screen use on mental health and physical ill effects like obesity. Women from both groups were unaware of the minimal permissible age to introduce screens and the signs of mobile phone addiction. This emphasizes the need for targeted educational intervention for mothers and AW to promote healthy screen habits among children.

Postgraduate medical training is characterized by high stress and emotional demands, often leading to burnout and difficulties in regulating emotions. Identifying protective psychological factors that can mitigate these effects is critical for trainee well-being. This cross-sectional study examined the role of self-compassion in relation to stress and emotion regulation among 80 postgraduate medical trainees at a teaching hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. Participants completed a sociodemographic proforma, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). Reliability analysis showed excellent internal consistency for both SCS (α=0.89) and DERS (α=0.91). Correlation analysis revealed that self-kindness and mindfulness were significantly negatively associated with emotion dysregulation, while self-judgement and over-identification showed positive associations. In multivariable regression, self-kindness (β=-0.24, p=0.012) and mindfulness (β=-0.22, p=0.019) independently predicted lower dysregulation, whereas self-judgement (β=+0.27, p=0.006) predicted higher dysregulation, after adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and substance use. Mediation analysis using bootstrapping demonstrated that self-compassion partially mediated the association between stress and dysregulation, accounting for approximately 32% of the total effect. These findings highlight self-compassion as a robust psychological resource that not only predicts emotion regulation but also buffers the impact of stress in medical trainees. Incorporating compassion-based training into postgraduate curricula may therefore represent a feasible strategy to promote resilience, reduce burnout, and support sustainable professional development.