High Dependency on Quacks – Is There a Gap in the Public Health Care Delivery System? Reflections from a District Located in the Thar Desert (India)

This paper tries to analyse the availability and role of public health care services provided by the public sector in India. In addition, it also explores the reasons behind the high dependency on quacks in the study area. Data was acquired through in-depth interviews of 610 respondents with the help of a structured questionnaire from September to December 2010. Here, an attempt has been made to probe the pattern of utilization of health care services available at public health facilities by the sample respondents. It has been assessed in relation to socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the interviewees which exert significant influence on the utilization of health care facilities. The study finds that the number of CHCs/PHCs/Sub-centres in the study area is not adequate to meet the health needs (medical advice or treatment) of entire the population. The results recommend improving the availability and accessibility of health care facilities in the area under study

Design and Performance Study of Improved Fuzzy System with Genetic Algorithm

Technical trading relies heavily on analysis, most of which is statistical in nature. When the data to be modeled is nonlinear, imprecise, or complicated, fuzzy inference systems (FISs) are used in conjunction with computational, mathematical, and statistical modeling methodologies to simulate technical trading. Fuzzy logic may be modeled using linear, nonlinear, geometric, dynamic, and integer programming. These techniques, when combined with fuzzy logic, help the decision-maker arrive at a better solution while still facing some degree of ambiguity or uncertainty. The moving average method is a useful metric that may give trade recommendations to aid investors further. While trading signals inform investors of when to purchase and sell, a simple moving average provides no such information. In this research, we suggest a fuzzy moving average approach in which the intensity of trading signals, measured in terms of trading volume, is determined by using the fuzzy logic rule. In this research, we propose using fuzzy logic technical trading rules, which are more resistant to decision-making mistakes, to mitigate the trading uncertainty inherent in the conventional technical indicators method

Digitalization of Education in the Implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka

The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) recently released several educational platforms like Merdeka Belajar, Rapor Pendidikan, Belajar.id, ARKAS, TanyaBOS, SiPLah and Kampus Merdeka to make a leap in educational progress. However, the user percentage is still low, which may be due to various reasons such as limited internet access and reluctance to learn new technology. Discussion on which priority technology platforms are and how they are used to support Kurikulum Merdeka’s implementation has been limited. Therefore, this paper will analyze the primary educational platforms useful for the implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka. We carried out a systematic review of the relevant databases on the digitalization of education in implementing Kurikulum Merdeka. Although the current educational platforms are still being developed, they provide unique features which facilitate students, teachers, administrators, and principals in the learningmanagement process at all levels of education. This work has the potential to become an essential reference that provides guidelines for using the educational platform to improve the number of users. Keywords: Kurikulum Merdeka; Merdeka Belajar; software; digital school; applicatio

Physico-chemical properties based differential toxicity of graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide in human lung cells mediated through oxidative stress

Goraphene derivatives (GD) are currently being evaluated for technological and biomedical applications owing to their unique physico-chemical properties over other carbon allotrope such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). But, the possible association of their properties with underlying in vitro effects have not fully examined. Here, we assessed the comparative interaction of three GD - graphene oxide (GO), thermally reduced GO (TRGO) and chemically reduced GO (CRGO), which significantly differ in their lateral size and functional groups density, with phenotypically different human lung cells; bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and alveolar epithelial cells (A549). The cellular studies demonstrate that GD significantly ineternalize and induce oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity in both cells. The toxicity intensity was in line with the reduced lateral size and increased functional groups revealed more toxicity potential of TRGO and GO respectively. Further, A549 cells showed more susceptibility than BEAS-2B which reflected cell type dependent differential cellular response. Molecular studies revealed that GD induced differential cell death mechanism which was efficiently prevented by their respective inhibitors. This is prior study to the best of our knowledge involving TRGO for its safety evaluation which provided invaluable information and new opportunities for GD based biomedical applications

A novel Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry associated adhesin mediates erythrocyte invasion through the sialic-acid dependent pathway

Erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites is central to blood-stage infection and malaria pathogenesis. This intricate process is coordinated by multiple parasite adhesins that bind erythrocyte receptors and mediate invasion through several alternate pathways. P. falciparum expresses 2700 genes during the blood-stages, of which the identity and function of many remains unknown. Here, we have identified and characterized a novel P. falciparum rhoptry associated adhesin (PfRA) that mediates erythrocyte invasion through the sialic-acid dependent pathway. PfRA appears to play a significant functional role as it is conserved across different Plasmodium species. It is localized in the rhoptries and further translocated to the merozoite surface. Both native and recombinant PfRA specifically bound erythrocytes in a sialic-acid dependent, chymotrypsin and trypsin resistant manner, which was abrogated by PfRA antibodies confirming a role in erythrocyte invasion. PfRA antibodies inhibited erythrocyte invasion and in combination with antibodies against other parasite ligands produced an additive inhibitory effect, thus validating its important role in erythrocyte invasion. We have thus identified a novel P. falciparum adhesin that binds with a sialic acid containing erythrocyte receptor. Our observations substantiate the strategy to block P. falciparum erythrocyte invasion by simultaneously targeting multiple conserved merozoite antigens involved in alternate invasion pathways

Study on Local-Structure Symmetrization of K2XF6 Crystals Doped with Mn4+ Ions by First-Principles Calculations

The crystals of Mn4+-activated fluorides, such as those of the hexafluorometallate family, are widely known for their luminescence properties. The most commonly reported red phosphors are A2XF6: Mn4+ and BXF6: Mn4+ fluorides, where A represents alkali metal ions such as Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs; X=Ti, Si, Ge, Zr, Sn, B = Ba and Zn; and X = Si, Ge, Zr, Sn, and Ti. Their performance is heavily influenced by the local structure around dopant ions. Many well-known research organizations have focused their attention on this area in recent years. However, there has been no report on the effect of local structural symmetrization on the luminescence properties of red phosphors. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of local structural symmetrization on the polytypes of K2XF6 crystals, namely Oh-K2MnF6, C3v-K2MnF6, Oh-K2SiF6, C3v-K2SiF6, D3d-K2GeF6, and C3v-K2GeF6. These crystal formations yielded seven-atom model clusters. Discrete Variational Xα (DV-Xα) and Discrete Variational Multi Electron (DVME) were the first principles methods used to compute the Molecular orbital energies, multiplet energy levels, and Coulomb integrals of these compounds. The multiplet energies of Mn4+ doped K2XF6 crystals were qualitatively reproduced by taking lattice relaxation, Configuration Dependent Correction (CDC), and Correlation Correction (CC) into account. The 4A2g→4T2g (4F) and 4A2g→4T1g (4F) energies increased when the Mn-F bond length decreased, but the 2Eg → 4A2g energy decreased. Because of the low symmetry, the magnitude of the Coulomb integral became smaller. As a result, the decreasing trend in the R-line energy could be attributed to a decreased electron–electron repulsion. © 2023 by the authors

Identifying Immune Correlates of Protection Against Plasmodium falciparum Through a Novel Approach to Account for Heterogeneity in Malaria Exposure

Background: A main criterion to identify malaria vaccine candidates is the proof that acquired immunity against them is associated with protection from disease. The age of the studied individuals, heterogeneous malaria exposure, and assumption of the maintenance of a baseline immune response can confound these associations. Methods: Immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M (IgG/ IgM) levels were measured by Luminex(R) in Mozambican children monitored for clinical malaria from birth until 3 years of age, together with functional antibodies. Studied candidates were pre-erythrocytic and erythrocytic antigens, including EBAs/PfRhs, MSPs, DBLs, and novel antigens merely or not previously studied in malaria-exposed populations. Cox regression models were estimated at 9 and 24 months of age, accounting for heterogeneous malaria exposure or limiting follow-up according to the antibody's decay. Results: Associations of antibody responses with higher clinical malaria risk were avoided when accounting for heterogeneous malaria exposure or when limiting the follow-up time in the analyses. Associations with reduced risk of clinical malaria were found only at 24 months old, but not younger children, for IgG breadth and levels of IgG targeting EBA140III-V, CyRPA, DBL5epsilon and DBL3x, together with C1q-fixation activity by antibodies targeting MSP119. Conclusions: Malaria protection correlates were identified, only in children aged 24 months old when accounting for heterogeneous malaria exposure. These results highlight the relevance of considering age and malaria exposure, as well as the importance of not assuming the maintenance of a baseline immune response throughout the follow-up. Results may be misleading if these factors are not considered

Genome-wide association study for type 2 diabetes in Indians identifies a new susceptibility locus at 2q21.

Indians undergoing socioeconomic and lifestyle transitions will be maximally affected by epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study of T2D in 12,535 Indians, a less explored but high-risk group. We identified a new type 2 diabetes-associated locus at 2q21, with the lead signal being rs6723108 (odds ratio 1.31; P = 3.32 × 10⁻⁹). Imputation analysis refined the signal to rs998451 (odds ratio 1.56; P = 6.3 × 10⁻¹²) within TMEM163 that encodes a probable vesicular transporter in nerve terminals. TMEM163 variants also showed association with decreased fasting plasma insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, indicating a plausible effect through impaired insulin secretion. The 2q21 region also harbors RAB3GAP1 and ACMSD; those are involved in neurologic disorders. Forty-nine of 56 previously reported signals showed consistency in direction with similar effect sizes in Indians and previous studies, and 25 of them were also associated (P < 0.05). Known loci and the newly identified 2q21 locus altogether explained 7.65% variance in the risk of T2D in Indians. Our study suggests that common susceptibility variants for T2D are largely the same across populations, but also reveals a population-specific locus and provides further insights into genetic architecture and etiology of T2D

Overexpression of Prothymosin Alpha Predicts Poor Disease Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer

In our recent study, tissue proteomic analysis of oral pre-malignant lesions (OPLs) and normal oral mucosa led to the identification of a panel of biomarkers, including prothymosin alpha (PTMA), to distinguish OPLs from histologically normal oral tissues. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of PTMA overexpression in oral squamous cell hyperplasia, dysplasia and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Immunohistochemistry of PTMA protein was performed in HNSCCs (n = 100), squamous cell hyperplasia (n = 116), dysplasia (n = 50) and histologically normal oral tissues (n = 100). Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the association of PTMA overexpression with clinicopathological parameters and disease prognosis over 7 years for HNSCC patients.<0.001). Chi-square analysis showed significant association of nuclear PTMA with advanced tumor stages (III+IV). Kaplan Meier survival analysis indicated reduced disease free survival (DFS) in HNSCC patients (p<0.001; median survival 11 months). Notably, Cox-multivariate analysis revealed nuclear PTMA as an independent predictor of poor prognosis of HNSCC patients (p<0.001, Hazard's ratio, HR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.3–11.8) in comparison with the histological grade, T-stage, nodal status and tumor stage.Nuclear PTMA may serve as prognostic marker in HNSCC to determine the subset of patients that are likely to show recurrence of the disease