Man On The Market- Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is a multifaceted issue and is considered as one of the most serious crimes in the 21st century. It has truly become a worldwide danger to vulnerable men, women, and children across the globe. Despite having various laws and regulations both in national and international level human trafficking is still prevailing and is a tragic reality. The menace of human trafficking has been considered as a grave violation of human rights in the present day scenario. Trafficking in human beings, especially children and women, is a form of modern day slavery and requires a comprehensive, multi-sectored approach in order to address the complex dimension of the issue. It is a problem that violates the rights and dignity of the victims who are lured into this web, to which there is no way out.Human beings are being treated as a mere commodity and price tags are attached to their dignity. They are being sold in the market like any other commodities. They are abducted and exploited and often referred to as silent slaves. The governments and the Ngo’s can play a pivotal role in preventing the menace of human trafficking by implementing various policies and programs for the rescued victims and also generating awareness programs for the people in remote areas so that they do not fall prey into the web of human trafficking. Therefore, there is an urgent need to look into this problem. &nbsp

Intermittent Food Absence Motivates Reallocation of Locomotion and Feeding in Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

Background: Daily feeding and locomotion are interrelated behaviours. The time spent in feeding and rate of food intake depends on food availability. In low food condition, the birds would show intense movement (locomotion) for a longer time throughout the day however during abundant food supply they may chose higher activity and food intake in the morning and evening only. In the present study we hypothesized that in Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata), intermittent food availability during day would reallocate their interrelated behaviors, the feeding (food intake) and locomotor activity patterns.  Methods: Two groups of birds (N = 6 each) were kept individually in activity cages under 12L:12D. Group 1 (Control; C) had ad libitum food but group 2 (Treatment; T) had food for 6 hours only (2 h presence followed by 2 h absence; 2P:2A) during 12 hour light period. In the first week, group 2 received food with ‘lights on’ (TI; ZT 0–2, 4–6 and 8–10; where ZT 0= zeitgeber time 0, time of lights ON). In the following week, the food was given 2 hours after ‘lights on’ (TII; ZT 2–4, 6–8, 10–12). The food intake and locomotor activity under each condition were observed.  Results: The results showed that locomotor activity was induced during food deprivation and suppressed during food availability. Also the food deprivation led to increased food intake. Conclusion: Our results suggest that intermittent food availability/ deprivation reallocates the locomotor activity and food intake in Spotted Munia

Artificial intelligence education for radiographers, an evaluation of a UK postgraduate educational intervention using participatory action research: a pilot study.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled applications are increasingly being used in providing healthcare services, such as medical imaging support. Sufficient and appropriate education for medical imaging professionals is required for successful AI adoption. Although, currently, there are AI training programmes for radiologists, formal AI education for radiographers is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and discuss a postgraduate-level module on AI developed in the UK for radiographers. A participatory action research methodology was applied, with participants recruited from the first cohort of students enrolled in this module and faculty members. Data were collected using online, semi-structured, individual interviews and focus group discussions. Textual data were processed using data-driven thematic analysis. Seven students and six faculty members participated in this evaluation. Results can be summarised in the following four themes: a. participants' professional and educational backgrounds influenced their experiences, b. participants found the learning experience meaningful concerning module design, organisation, and pedagogical approaches, c. some module design and delivery aspects were identified as barriers to learning, and d. participants suggested how the ideal AI course could look like based on their experiences. The findings of our work show that an AI module can assist educators/academics in developing similar AI education provisions for radiographers and other medical imaging and radiation sciences professionals. A blended learning delivery format, combined with customisable and contextualised content, using an interprofessional faculty approach is recommended for future similar courses. [Abstract copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).

A Transcriptomic Appreciation of Childhood Meningococcal and Polymicrobial Sepsis from a Pro-Inflammatory and Trajectorial Perspective, a Role for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and B Modulation?

This study investigated the temporal dynamics of childhood sepsis by analyzing gene expression changes associated with proinflammatory processes. Five datasets, including four meningococcal sepsis shock (MSS) datasets (two temporal and two longitudinal) and one polymicrobial sepsis dataset, were selected to track temporal changes in gene expression. Hierarchical clustering revealed three temporal phases: early, intermediate, and late, providing a framework for understanding sepsis progression. Principal component analysis supported the identification of gene expression trajectories. Differential gene analysis highlighted consistent upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and nuclear factor κB1 (NFKB1), genes involved in inflammation, across the sepsis datasets. NFKB1 gene expression also showed temporal changes in the MSS datasets. In the postmortem dataset comparing MSS cases to controls, VEGF-A was upregulated and VEGF-B downregulated. Renal tissue exhibited higher VEGF-A expression compared with other tissues. Similar VEGF-A upregulation and VEGF-B downregulation patterns were observed in the cross-sectional MSS datasets and the polymicrobial sepsis dataset. Hexagonal plots confirmed VEGF-R (VEGF receptor)–VEGF-R2 signaling pathway enrichment in the MSS cross-sectional studies. The polymicrobial sepsis dataset also showed enrichment of the VEGF pathway in septic shock day 3 and sepsis day 3 samples compared with controls. These findings provide unique insights into the dynamic nature of sepsis from a transcriptomic perspective and suggest potential implications for biomarker development. Future research should focus on larger-scale temporal transcriptomic studies with appropriate control groups and validate the identified gene combination as a potential biomarker panel for sepsis

Multivariate modeling of chromium-induced oxidative stress and biochemical changes in plants of Pistia stratiotes L.

Biochemical changes in the plants of Pistia stratiotes L., a free floating macrophyte exposed to different concentrations of hexavalent chromium (0, 10, 40, 60, 80 and 160 μM) for 48, 96 and 144 h were studied. Chromium-induced oxidative stress in macrophyte was investigated using the multivariate modeling approaches. Cluster analysis rendered two fairly distinct clusters (roots and shoots) of similar characteristics in terms of their biochemical responses. Discriminant analysis identified ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as discriminating variable between the root and shoot tissues. Principal components analysis results suggested that malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), APX, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), cysteine, ascorbic acid, and Cr-accumulation are dominant in root tissues, whereas, protein and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) in shoots of the plant. Discriminant partial least squares analysis results further confirmed that MDA, SOD, NP-SH, cysteine, GPX, APX, ascorbic acid and Cr-accumulation dominated in the root tissues, while protein in the shoot. Three-way analysis helped in visualizing simultaneous influence of metal concentration and exposure duration on biochemical variables in plant tissues. The multivariate approaches, thus, allowed for the interpretation of the induced biochemical changes in the plant tissues exposed to chromium, which otherwise using the conventional approaches is difficult

Application of a gene modular approach for clinical phenotype genotype association and sepsis prediction using machine learning in meningococcal sepsis

Sepsis is a major global health concern causing high morbidity and mortality rates. Our study utilized a Meningococcal Septic Shock (MSS) temporal dataset to investigate the correlation between gene expression (GE) changes and clinical features. The research used Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to establish links between gene expression and clinical parameters in infants admitted to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit with MSS. Additionally, various machine learning (ML) algorithms, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were implemented to predict sepsis survival. The findings revealed a transition in gene function pathways from nuclear to cytoplasmic to extracellular, corresponding with Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score (PELOD) readings at 0, 24, and 48 h. ANN was the most accurate of the six ML models applied for survival prediction. This study successfully correlated PELOD with transcriptomic data, mapping enriched GE modules in acute sepsis. By integrating network analysis methods to identify key gene modules and using machine learning for sepsis prognosis, this study offers valuable insights for precision-based treatment strategies in future research. The observed temporal-spatial pattern of cellular recovery in sepsis could prove useful in guiding clinical management and therapeutic interventions

Advancing sepsis clinical research: harnessing transcriptomics for an omics-based strategy - a comprehensive scoping review

Sepsis continues to be recognized as a significant global health challenge across all ages and is characterized by a complex pathophysiology. In this scoping review, PRISMA-ScR guidelines were adhered to, and a transcriptomic methodology was adopted, with the protocol registered on the Open Science Framework. We hypothesized that gene expression analysis could provide a foundation for establishing a clinical research framework for sepsis. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was conducted with a particular focus on original research and systematic reviews of transcriptomic sepsis studies published between 2012 and 2022. Both coding and non-coding gene expression studies have been included in this review. An effort was made to enhance the understanding of sepsis at the mRNA gene expression level by applying a systems biology approach through transcriptomic analysis. Seven crucial components related to sepsis research were addressed in this study: endotyping (n = 64), biomarker (n = 409), definition (n = 0), diagnosis (n = 1098), progression (n = 124), severity (n = 451), and benchmark (n = 62). These components were classified into two groups, with one focusing on Biomarkers and Endotypes and the other oriented towards clinical aspects. Our review of the selected studies revealed a compelling association between gene transcripts and clinical sepsis, reinforcing the proposed research framework. Nevertheless, challenges have arisen from the lack of consensus in the sepsis terminology employed in research studies and the absence of a comprehensive definition of sepsis. There is a gap in the alignment between the notion of sepsis as a clinical phenomenon and that of laboratory indicators. It is potentially responsible for the variable number of patients within each category. Ideally, future studies should incorporate a transcriptomic perspective. The integration of transcriptomic data with clinical endpoints holds significant potential for advancing sepsis research, facilitating a consensus-driven approach, and enabling the precision management of sepsis

BHPR research: qualitative1. Complex reasoning determines patients' perception of outcome following foot surgery in rheumatoid arhtritis

Background: Foot surgery is common in patients with RA but research into surgical outcomes is limited and conceptually flawed as current outcome measures lack face validity: to date no one has asked patients what is important to them. This study aimed to determine which factors are important to patients when evaluating the success of foot surgery in RA Methods: Semi structured interviews of RA patients who had undergone foot surgery were conducted and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted to explore issues that were important to patients. Results: 11 RA patients (9 ♂, mean age 59, dis dur = 22yrs, mean of 3 yrs post op) with mixed experiences of foot surgery were interviewed. Patients interpreted outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, frequently positive change in one aspect contrasted with negative opinions about another. Overall, four major themes emerged. Function: Functional ability & participation in valued activities were very important to patients. Walking ability was a key concern but patients interpreted levels of activity in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on change in functional ability more than overall level. Positive feelings of improved mobility were often moderated by negative self perception ("I mean, I still walk like a waddling duck”). Appearance: Appearance was important to almost all patients but perhaps the most complex theme of all. Physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet patients saw these as distinct separate concepts. Patients need to legitimize these feelings was clear and they frequently entered into a defensive repertoire ("it's not cosmetic surgery; it's something that's more important than that, you know?”). Clinician opinion: Surgeons' post operative evaluation of the procedure was very influential. The impact of this appraisal continued to affect patients' lasting impression irrespective of how the outcome compared to their initial goals ("when he'd done it ... he said that hasn't worked as good as he'd wanted to ... but the pain has gone”). Pain: Whilst pain was important to almost all patients, it appeared to be less important than the other themes. Pain was predominately raised when it influenced other themes, such as function; many still felt the need to legitimize their foot pain in order for health professionals to take it seriously ("in the end I went to my GP because it had happened a few times and I went to an orthopaedic surgeon who was quite dismissive of it, it was like what are you complaining about”). Conclusions: Patients interpret the outcome of foot surgery using a multitude of interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than other factors in the overall outcome of the surgery. Future research into foot surgery should incorporate the complexity of how patients determine their outcome Disclosure statement: All authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Independent Directors- A Misnomer

The announcement of the Clause 49 in SEBI Listing Agreement brought about the introduction and growth of the independent directors, which provided for the need for having an independent directors on the boards of the company and defined the term ‘independence’ as well as laid down their duties and responsibilities. Also the Companies Act 1956 was amended and there was introduction of Companies Act 2013 which brought along with it provisions relating to the Independent directors and provided for a wider perspective in terms of their independence. The appointment of the independent directors on the board provides support as well as contributes in better corporate governance performance. They also play the role of balancing the interests of the various stakeholders and protect the interest of the company which helps in its growth. However in the recent time, the occurrence of scams and other such incidence have increased taking for example scams like Enron, World com, Satyam or for that matter the controversy between the Tata sons and Cyrus Mistry , or the Infosys board issue and other global scandals. These scams have questioned the ‘Independence’ of the independent directors and the role they play in ensuring good corporate governance. Concerns regarding their appointment, selection procedure, removal have cropped up taking into account the increasing number of resignations by them. . Large number of companies are promoter driven and are being controlled by one person, on a close observation it is evident that he is the person who is responsible for the management and also the appointment and removal of the independent directors, and they instead of playing the role of the watchdog of the board they prefer to be ‘friends’ of the promoters. All these issues have questioned the corporate culture, ethics, norms of business organisations, and if we look closely we will find that the core problem of the business world today is seen to be the failure of the corporate governance, which means that the Boards are failing to execute their responsibilities and duties properly, And that the term ‘independent’ seems to be a myth and a misnomer as these incidences clearly shows that there is no such thing as independence and that they are just dolls in the hands of the promoters. Thus there is an urgent need to relook at the role of the independent directors and analyse the emerging challenges and issues faced by the

Rights of Sex Workers in India: An Analytical Study

Human rights have always been a controversial issue in India when it comes to the rights of the sex workers. In India, the law relating to sex work is ambiguous, i.e. India neither criminalizes nor condemns it. Human rights advocates wellbeing with equal treatment of all persons. However the Indian government has failed to uphold the rights of women especially those of sex workers be it the civil or socio-economic rights, despite being a signatory to many legislations. The sex workers are stigmatized and are looked down upon by the society. They are often subjected to discrimination, abuse, rape and harassment which results in denial of their rights. The health, safety and equality of the sex workers under the law are some of the major concerns which should be looked into as a matter of their right. And further steps should be taken to decriminalize prostitution for the betterment and protection of the sex workers