Toward the PSTN/Internet Inter-Networking--Pre-PINT Implementations

This document contains the information relevant to the development of the inter-networking interfaces underway in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)/Internet Inter-Networking (PINT) Working Group. It addresses technologies, architectures, and several (but by no means all) existing pre-PINT implementations of the arrangements through which Internet applications can request and enrich PSTN telecommunications services. The common denominator of the enriched services (a.k.a. PINT services) is that they combine the Internet and PSTN services in such a way that the Internet is used for non-voice interactions, while the voice (and fax) are carried entirely over the PSTN. One key observation is that the pre-PINT implementations, being developed independently, do not inter-operate. It is a task of the PINT Working Group to define the inter-networking interfaces that will support inter-operation of the future implementations of PINT services

A meta-analysis on efficacy and safety: single-balloon vs. double-balloon enteroscopy

Background and aim: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) are new techniques capable of providing deep enteroscopy. Results of individual studies comparing these techniques have not been able to identify a superior strategy. Our aim was to systematically pool all available studies to compare the efficacy and safety of DBE with SBE for evaluation of the small bowel. Methods: Databases were searched, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The main outcome measures were complete small-bowel visualization, diagnostic yield, therapeutic yield, and complication rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan version 5.2). Meta-analysis was performed using fixed-effect or random-effect methods, depending on the absence or presence of significant heterogeneity. We used the χ2 and I2 test to assess heterogeneity between trials. Results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Four prospective, randomized, controlled trials with a total of 375 patients were identified. DBE was superior to SBE for visualization of the entire small bowel [pooled RR = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.19–0.73; P = 0.004)]. DBE and SBE were similar in ability to provide diagnosis [pooled RR = 0.95 (95% CI: 0.77–1.17; P = 0.62)]. There was no significant difference between DBE and SBE in therapeutic yield [pooled RR = 0.78 (95% CI: 0.59–1.04; P = 0.09)] and complication rate [pooled RR = 1.08 (95% CI: 0.28–4.22); P = 0.91]. Conclusions: DBE was superior to SBE with regard to complete small bowel visualization. DBE was similar to SBE with regard to diagnostic yield, ability to provide treatment and complication rate, but these results should be interpreted with caution as they is based on very few studies and the overall quality of the evidence was rated as low to moderate, due to the small sample size

Phytochemical Analysis, Anti-oxidant Activity, Anti-microbial Activity of Leaves of Camellia Sinensis (Theaceae Family) (White Tea)

White tea, also known as Camellia Sinensis (Theaceae family), is a lesser-known variety of the world-famous Camellia Sinensis plant and beverage, despite its possible health advantages, cheap cost, and energizing effects. In order to prevent the breakdown of polyphenols, which prevents chlorophyll from combining with the leaf buds, young tea shoots are kept away of direct sunlight. The goal of herbal medicine research & development is to enhance the quality and safety of natural products. Analyses of phytochemicals and physicochemical were performed. Different concentrations of white tea have been studied microbially. Tannings, flavonoids, glycosides, and saponins were found in the materials during a phytochemical investigation. In the ethanolic extract of white tea leaves, polyphenol content is 36.25 percent, with catechins making up 19.10 percent and tannins making up 17.52 percent of that. Catechins include 7.98 percent EGCG as a derivative. The phytochemical properties reported in this study could be included in the pharmacopoeial standard, which could help standardize it

Impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the health status of young female adults from India: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: Reports suggest that females experience more adverse events post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination compared to males. However, no gender-specific data on the impact of vaccines on the Indian population are available. The present study was intended to understand the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on the health status of young Indian female adults and to identify the factors associated with experiencing adverse events post-vaccination. Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among 433 young female adults who have taken at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The prevalence and duration of systemic and generalized symptoms were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The factors associated with symptoms post-vaccination were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Of the 404 surveys returned (93.3%), 371 respondents have received both vaccine doses. COVISHIELDTM was the vaccine of choice among 73% of respondents and nearly 91% of the respondents reported a re-infection post-vaccination. At least one form of the symptom as a side effect of vaccination was experienced by 88.4% (n = 357) of the participants. This included generalized symptoms (77.5%) followed by musculoskeletal (53.2%), localized (38.9%), psychological (35.1%), gastrointestinal (25.5%), gynecological (24%), and endocrine symptoms (22.5%). Presence of chronic ailments was significantly associated with experiencing localized symptoms (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.25-3.91), psychological symptoms (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.34-4.34), neurological symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.38-6.46), gastrointestinal symptoms (OR 4.76, 95% CI 2.59-8.75), respiratory symptoms (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.29-4.67), endocrine symptoms (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.58-5.38), and gynecological symptoms (OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.21-7.44). Older than 21 years was significantly associated with the experience of gynecologic symptoms (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.24-3.64). Not being re-infected post-vaccination has lower odds of experiencing psychological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Our result suggests serious planning and counseling are warranted while disseminating COVID-19 vaccination among young female adults especially those with comorbidities to foster trust and coverage