Background: Obesity is a major health concern worldwide. Obesity affects both metabolic and endocrine functions. Recent research suggests that there is a link between obesity and elevated levels of parathyroid hormones (PTH), a hormone that help to regulate calcium levels in the body. Higher PTH levels may contribute to various metabolic disorders, including osteoporosis. However, data on this association among Bangladeshi women are scarce. Objective: To explore the association of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) in obese women of reproductive age in a selective urban locality of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 obese women (BMI>30 kg/m2) and 30 non-obese women (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method and aged 25 to 50 years; post-menopausal women were excluded. All study subjects were recruited from the Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP) in old Dhaka city, and study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College. Serum iPTH levels, total calcium and BMI, were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) v10.0. Data were expressed as Mean±SD, comparison between two groups were done by using Student’s unpaired ‘t’ test, Ethical clearance was taken from ethical review committee of Dhaka Medical College, data was collected in a prescribed data collection sheet. Results: Obese women had significantly higher serum iPTH levels (38±16 pg/ml) compared to non-obese women (25±3 pg/ml; p<0.001). Serum calcium levels were found slightly lower in obese women (8.2±0.6 mg/dl) than in non-obese women (8.4±0.4 mg/dl), but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study found that obesity in women of reproductive age is linked to significantly higher PTH secretion, which may contribute to metabolic disturbances like osteoporosis. While the relationship between obesity and calcium levels was not significant, further research is needed with more study population to explore whether elevated PTH levels are a cause or result of obesity. Keywords: Parathyroid hormone, Obesity, Calcium, Osteoporosis, Metabolic dysfunction. JAFMC Bangladesh, Vol 21, No 2 (December) 2025:11-13

Background: Undescended testis in male infants, linked to complications like torsion and infertility, now see earlier orchiopexy recommendations, emphasizing the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention. Objective: To evaluate the presurgical diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in the localization and volume of undescended testis in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, CMH Dhaka and BSH&I, Dhaka, from March 2022 to August 2023. A total of 47 pediatric patients with undescended testis were enrolled in this study. Ultrasonography of both inguinoscrotal regions was done in every sample to see the length, width and location of the testis. Ultrasonography was performed before orchiopexy by experienced radiologist. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained using window-based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS v26). Results: There was a significant measure of good agreement with a Kappa Value of 0.806 between the USG position and the per-operative position. Strong positive correlations were found between USG and per-operative lengths (r=0.998; p=0.001), widths (r=0.996; p=0.001) and volumes (r=0.999; p=0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative timed ultrasonography reliably identifies anatomical positions and volumes of undescended testes in children, demonstrating noteworthy diagnostic concordance. JAFMC Bangladesh, Vol 21, No 2 (December) 2025:44-48

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the role of transformational leadership in the relationship between top management support and performance of public organizations looking at state corporations in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive research design. The study targeted 221 state corporations in Kenya. 143 corporations were sampled. Respondents were Chief Executive Officers and Senior Managers, who are responsible for strategy and planning. The study utilized the use of self-administered structured questionnaires to collect primary data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used in data analysis. Findings: Pearson Correlation results indicate that top management support was positively and significantly related to performance of state corporations (.315, p<0.000). Results further exposed that top management support was found to affect performance (β=.065, p<.05). This suggests that, while top management support is important, its direct influence on performance is modest and may be affected by other variables. Introducing transformational leadership as a moderating variable reduced the F-statistic, indicating that transformational leadership affects the strength of these relationships. However, despite the reductions, the relationships remain statistically significant (p < .05) in all cases. Based on the study, transformational leadership moderates the relationship between top management support and firm performance. Despite reduced F-statistic, this relationships remain significant. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends development of transformational leadership through Investment in leadership skill development to maximize strategy implementation effectiveness, integration of transformational leadership in strategy by embedding transformational leadership in strategy formulation and implementation for enhanced outcomes, aligning strategy with transformational leadership by customizing processes to fit transformational leadership. Next is to implement a training program that focuses on transformational leadership and strategy integration and establish a metrics and monitoring system that regularly assess the impact of leadership on strategy. These steps will improve firm performance through effective strategy implementation.

This paper aims to investigate the importance of extensive teaching of modal auxiliary verb functions in context in translation into Arabic which it concerns teaching students of translation modals’ functions in context extensively in separate courses to grasp the modals’ functions in translating them into Arabic as they convey multiple meanings in context and they don’t have exact or lexical meanings in Arabic which need be to determined in the final process and production of translation as their various and multiple functional meanings in context have been left inadvertently and they have been taken for granted when translated into specific Arabic equivalences which are mostly wrong, so full knowledge of them considered to be a major translator’s skill which should not be left inadvertent to process and produce the translation accurately to match the genuine text and to avoid great loss of meaning in the translation process and the final product. Therefore, in this respect, it is recommended that lecturers of translation should teach the modals versatile and multiple meanings in context that can’t be grasped easily unless they have been taught extensively in terms of translating them into Arabic. The descriptive analytical method was adopted for conducting the study. A diagnostic pre-test, a modals’ functions course were taught and post-test were given to (30) master translation students at Graduate College, Centre for Languages and Translation at University of Bahri in Khartoum. Sudan. and a questionnaire was given to (15) translation lectures as tools for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme was used for data analysis. The findings proved the questions of study and the study recommends that teaching English modals’ functions should be taught extensively to translation students to expand their knowledge of the modals’ functions in context so as to find out the correct intended meaning of the modals’ functions in their contexts.

Modals’ functions in context have great significance either in general or to the translation students not to be left inadvertent in terms of mastering modal auxiliary verb functions’ knowledge as a part of linguistic competence regarding perfect translation from English into Arabic as a major translator’s skill to process and produce translation that meet the writer perspective in the genuine text. Full knowledge of modal auxiliary verb functions concerning the functional meaning in context as an element of linguistic competence is a must to the translator where it is a rich, versatile and tricky area semantically and grammatically and since translation is a branch of applied linguistics concerned with the knowledge of relations between languages and the application of this knowledge in communication, modal auxiliary verb functions should be applicable fully and appropriately in applying and translating them to arabic. This study aimed at discovering how much knowledge do thirty (30) master degree translation students have after sitting to a pre - test and after attending modals’ functions course and sitting to a post – test that a similar to the ore - test. The thirty (30) master degree students who exposed to the tests at the Graduate College – Center of Languages and Translation. University of Bahri. The experimental method was adopted for conducting the study. The pre – test and post - test were chosen as tools for data collection. The SPSS programme (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) was used for data analysis. The statistical analysis for the results of the pre – test and the post - test showed that great advantage in the whole (30) students percentage of their success in answering correctly in the post – test increased from (56.7%) in the pre – test scores to (88.2%) with percentage of (31.5%) of increase in improvement. The study come up with the following findings : translation students have seriously - limited knowledge in terms of modals’ functions and grasping modal verbs and their functions and uses in context help improve translation skill to translation students. Thus, based on the findings, the study recommended that translators should expand their knowledge of the modals’ functions in context so as to find out the correct intended meaning of the modals’ functions.

Background: Tobacco smoking is a major cause of preventable morbidities and mortality, and it is the second major cause of death and the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. Physicians can play a key role in smoking cessation by advising a smoker to quit and serving as role models for healthy behaviors by not smoking. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st of October 2023 to 1st of July 2024, using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey for doctors. The sample included 200 doctors and 120 dentists who participated. Data analysis was done on a personal computer (PC) using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) V.22. Socio-demographic variables were described using descriptive statistics, tables, and figures. Significant associations between variables were determined by the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was assumed to indicate significance. Results: In this study, 19.38% of doctors were smokers and 5% were ex-smokers, with significant gender differences (males: 43% and females: 6%). Most smokers were between 36 and 45 years, but most doctors started smoking in college. 52% started smoking due to stress. 71% of smokers smoked for over 10 years. Most participants knew about smoking's dangers and the cessation programme. Doctors struggled to advise patients to quit smoking due to time (37.5%) and patient desire (35%). Conclusion: One in five doctors smoked, according to our findings. Men predominate in smoking, and smokers are aware of health and environmental risks. In Ex-smokers, the causes of quit are mostly to quit addiction and maintain their health. Most participants knew about primary health care center smoking cessation programs (SCP), but only one-third knew Iraqi smoking laws.

A sound health care system is indispensable for fast and better recovery of patients which involves best medication along with adequate and balanced diet. In public hospitals, hospital meal is the source of nutrition for most patients. Despite the critical role of appropriate hospital feeding in the recovery process of hospitalized patients, there is little understanding of satisfaction with food service in regular hospital settings among adult patients admitted to public hospitals. This study aims assess satisfaction levels with hospital meal service and associated factors among adult patients admitted to public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024 and Multi center cross sectional study was conducted from June to July, 2024. Representative samples of 567 adult were chosen by multistage cluster sampling from patients admitted to public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaires and data obtained from institution- based survey checked for completeness & inconsistencies, and then coded, entered, cleaned and transferred to Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 for analysis. Result shows patient satisfaction towards hospital meal services was 32.5% (95%CI: [29.0, 36.0]). Multivariable logistic regression shows Meal flavor (AOR=4.65; 95%CI:[2.26-10.97]), Meal type (AOR =2.35; 95%CI:[1.912-4.49]), provision of well cooked meals for easily chewing (AOR=1.483; 95%CI:[1.294-1.792]), meal provider’s behavior (AOR=2.20; 95%CI:[1.252-3.195]), and nutritional status (AOR=0.389; 95%CI:[0.271-0.558]) of respondents were identified as influencing factors of patient satisfaction on meal service at hospitals. Regarding nutritional status 343 (60.5%) of admitted patients were well nourished and 224 (39.5%) were malnourished. In general, it revealed low patient’s satisfaction with hospital meal service among adult patients admitted at public hospitals so health managers and health care providers need to work on how to maintain the good aspects of hospital meal services.

Surgical site infection continues to be among the most serious postoperative complications of cesarean delivery, leading to maternal morbidity and additional healthcare cost. Despite the rising trend of cesarean deliveries, evidence on the magnitude and risk factors of surgical site infection in local hospitals in Ethiopia remains limited. This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of surgical site infection among women who underwent cesarean delivery at Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 August to 15 September 2025 among women who underwent cesarean delivery at Gandhi Memorial Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2025. A total of 485 medical records were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected from women's medical records via a structured checklist and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was declared at a p- value < 0.05 with a 95% CI. Among the reviewed records, 31 (6.4%; 95% CI: 4.49-8.36) women developed surgical site infection. Repeated digital vaginal examination (AOR = 2.44 (1.41, 5.19) increases the risk of bacterial introduction; delayed timing of prophylactic antibiotic (AOR = 2.32 (1.23, 4.29) reduces protective coverage at the time of incision; absence of vaginal cleansing right before surgery (AOR = 3.75 (1.26, 11.17) likely increases bacterial load and postoperative hemoglobin level < 11g/dl (AOR = 5.16 (1.76, 11.19)) may reduce immune capacity. All were significantly associated with surgical site infection. This study found lower surgical site infection rates compared to previous Ethiopian studies; however, it remains a critical postoperative concern. Reducing frequent digital vaginal examinations, ensuring timely prophylactic antibiotics, promoting preoperative vaginal cleansing, and maintaining adequate maternal hemoglobin levels are critical to further reduce the risk of SSI. The retrospective nature of the study limits assessment of some factors, including operating room conditions.

bjectives: This study aimed to describe the real-life use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor-based therapies as well as assess their effect on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out from 6 diabetes centers (five in Pune, Maharashtra, and one in Trichy, Tamil Nadu). A total of 500 adults whose diabetes was being treated with an SGLT2 inhibitor alone or in combination with other antidiabetic drugs were enrolled. Treatment details, baseline characteristics, and HbA1c values at enrollment and at 26 weeks were recorded. Changes in HbA1c were reported using descriptive statistics and appropriate comparative statistical tests in the computer package, Version 26 of the software package, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: The mean HbA1c at baseline was 8.93±1.8% which was reduced to 7.36±1.4% at 26 weeks of therapy (mean reduction: 1.57%, p&lt;0.0001). Combination of such agents as Remogliflozin+Vildagliptin+Metformin+Sitagliptin (mean HbA1c reduction: −25.9±21.6%) and Dapagliflozin + Sitagliptin + Metformin (−26.5±8.4%) resulted in marked improvements. Overall, almost 72% of the therapeutic regimens resulted in a decrease in HbA1c of more than 0.5%. Conclusion: In routine clinical practice, SGLT2 inhibitor-based treatments particularly when combined with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and metformin were associated with meaningful and consistent reduced HbA1c among Indian patients with T2DM.

This study conducted a statistical evaluation of the impact of measuring employee productivity in Nigerian corporate organizations, with Fidson Healthcare Plc as the case study. The primary objective was to employ statistical tools to assess the influence of employee productivity measurement on various financial parameters. The evaluation primarily explored the relationship between performance appraisal results, mean appraisal scores (MAS), and financial variables including Net Profit, Total Revenue, and Net Current Assets. Data for this research was sourced from the company's Finance and Human Resource Department. Statistical techniques including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Correlation, and Regression were utilized for analysis, with data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Microsoft Excel. The findings suggested that there was no strong correlation between employee productivity measurement and organizational performance. However, it was concluded that improved alignment of the performance appraisal process with corporate goals could enhance the predictive value of employee productivity measurement using performance appraisals for organizational performance.

Inguinal hernia repair ranks among the most frequently performed surgical operations globally, offering a range of different methods for addressing the condition. Among these, the Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) and Totally Extraperitoneal (eTEP) methods stand out as minimally invasive options. These techniques have become increasingly preferred for their benefits compared to the conventional open hernia repair approach. This study aims to compare the short-term outcomes of TAPP and eTEP techniques in inguinal hernia repair. This comparative study within the General Surgery Departments of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College &amp; Hospital (ShSMCH) and Mugda Medical College &amp; Hospital during July 2022 to June 2023. Fifty patients were selected via purposive sampling, adhering to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for inguinal hernia repair, and were subsequently divided into two equal groups. The first group of twenty-five patients received treatment through the TAPP technique, while the second group of twenty-five underwent repair using the eTEP method. The assignment to each technique was carried out using a random lottery system. The investigation focused on short-term outcomes such as operative duration, post-surgery pain levels, hospitalization length, immediate complications, and rates of hernia recurrence. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by using window based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-20). The average duration of surgery for the TAPP technique was recorded at 99.4±9.1 minutes, compared to 94.4±9.9 minutes for the TEP method, with no statistically significant difference observed between the two. Regarding postoperative pain, measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), TAPP patients reported significantly lower pain scores at all post-surgery intervals: 3.58±0.53 (6 hours), 3.50±0.76 (12 hours), 3.08±0.53 (24 hours), and 3.01±0.15 (48 hours), whereas TEP patients experienced higher scores of 5.57±0.53 (6 hours), 6.35±0.92 (12 hours), 4.82±0.71 (24 hours), and 3.71±0.31 (48 hours), indicating significantly (p&lt;0.001) less pain for those in the TAPP group at every measured time point. The TAPP group also benefited from a shorter mean hospital stay of 3.1±0.8 days versus 3.8±0.9 days for the TEP group, highlighting the TAPP technique’s efficiency in facilitating quicker postoperative recovery. This study highlights the short-term benefits of TAPP over eTEP in inguinal hernia repair, particularly in terms of length of hospital stay, pain and duration of surgery. However, further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to validate these findings and guide clinical decision-making. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(2): 01-13, 2025

Introduction: Blood within the vitreous cavity is referred to as Vitreous Haemorrhage (VH). VH is one of the most frequent conditions that present to the emergency room and is a major cause of painless visual loss . Aim: To evaluate the various aetiologies, management strategies, and outcomes following treatment in patients with VH. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department from August 2023 to August 2024 for a period of one year at Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Newly diagnosed cases of vitreous haemorrhage in patients over 35 years of age were included in the study and those with a history of retinal detachment were excluded. A detailed history regarding the aetiology of the VH was taken, and a complete ocular examination was performed. Necessary investigations were conducted. Treatment was administered according to the cause of VH, and this was noted. Follow-up was conducted for a three-month postoperative period. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Packages of Social Sciences (SPSS) software and Microsoft Excel. Results: The current study included 21 patients with a total of 23 eyes. The largest group of patients was in the age range of 45 to 50 years (42.85%), with a mean age of 54.38±3.438 years. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) was determined to be the most frequent cause, seen in 11 patients (52.38%), followed by Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO), seen in 5 cases (23.80%). Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) injections were the most commonly used treatment method, administered in 10 (43.47%) of the 23 eyes. Other treatment options included observation, laser photocoagulation, and Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV). Preoperative visual acuity was &lt;1/60 to Perception of Light (PL) + in 12 (52.17%) cases, while in the postoperative follow-up, the majority of patients (20 cases, or 86.94%) were in the visual acuity group of 6/6 to 6/60. Conclusion: In the present study, the most common cause of vitreous haemorrhage was found to be PDR. Early diagnosis and timely intervention for VH lead to good visual prognosis.

Introduction: Wound healing following abdominal surgeries such as elective Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) is a multifactorial process influenced by physiological and psychological factors. Elevated psychological stress adversely affects immune system performance, which can lead to slower tissue regeneration and heightened susceptibility to postoperative complications. Meditation grounded in yoga principles, characterised by controlled breathing and mindful awareness, has been documented to lower stress and inflammation while supporting autonomic nervous system stability. Despite these potential benefits, there is limited clinical evidence evaluating the direct role of yoga-based meditation in improving surgical wound healing. Aim: To evaluate the impact of yoga-based meditation on stress levels and wound healing outcomes in patients after elective LSCS. Materials and Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted in July 2022 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shri B.M Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura, Karnataka, India. The study included 52 patients undergoing elective LSCS, who were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group and a control group. Participants were recruited at the time of admission to the postnatal ward. The intervention group received guided yoga-based meditation for 15 minutes, three times daily, over a period of 14 consecutive days. Meditation sessions focused on breath awareness, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness. The control group received standard postoperative care without meditation. Stress parameters and wound healing outcomes were assessed at baseline and on day 14. The parameters measured included Heart Rate (HR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Perceived Stress Score (PSS), and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Wound healing was assessed using the Southampton wound grading system. Statistical analysis was performed using International Business Machine (IBM) Statistical Packages of Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 25.0. Between-group comparisons were made using the chi-square test for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for non parametric continuous variables. A p-value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 70 patients enrolled, 52 completed the trial (26 per group). There were no significant baseline differences in age, Body Mass Index (BMI) or parity (p&gt;0.05). After 14 days, the yoga-meditation group showed a greater reduction in resting HR (mean change -14.48% vs -4.02%; p&lt;0.001), a greater increase in HRV (mean change +21.81% vs +8.75%; p&lt;0.001), and a greater reduction in PSS score (-48.2% vs -47.4%; p=0.013) compared with controls. GSR showed a marked increase, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Although both groups achieved 100% Grade 0 healing by day 14 (Southampton Wound Grading System), the meditation group demonstrated a more rapid resolution of early inflammatory signs in the first week. Conclusion: Adjunctive yoga-based meditation significantly attenuates postoperative stress- both physiological and psychological and may accelerate the initial phases of wound healing following elective LSCS. This non invasive, low-cost intervention holds promise for enhancing recovery and patient well-being in the postoperative setting.

Introduction: Non thyroidal neck lesions represent a heterogeneous group of pathologies arising from lymph nodes, salivary glands, softtissues, and other cervical structures. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a minimally invasive and cost-effective diagnostic tool, but its accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lesions requires continuous evaluation against histopathology, the gold standard. Aim: To evaluate the spectrum of non thyroidal neck lesions using FNAC, categorise them cytologically, and assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC by correlating it with histopathology. Materials and Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, India from April 2024 to March 2025. A total of 210 consecutive cases of non thyroidal neck lesions underwent FNAC, of which 103 cases had subsequent histopathological evaluation. Cytological diagnoses were classified into inflammatory, benign, and malignant categories. Histopathological specimens were processed using routine paraffin embedding and Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&amp;E) staining. Concordance between FNAC and histopathology was assessed, and diagnostic indices—sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), and overall diagnostic accuracy—were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s Chi-square test (χ²) with IBM Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics Version 25.0. Results: Of the 210 cases, 115 (54.76%) were inflammatory, 51 (24.29%) benign, and 44 (20.95%) malignant. Histopathological correlation in 103 cases revealed 21 inflammatory (20.4%), 51 benign neoplastic (49.5%), and 31 malignant neoplastic (30.1%) lesions. FNAC–histopathology concordance was 92.2% (95/103), with discordance in 7.8% (8/103). Diagnostic performance metrics were: sensitivity 92.68%, specificity 90.48%, PPV 97.43%, NPV 76.00%, and overall diagnostic accuracy 92.23%. Conclusion: FNAC is a highly sensitive and specific preliminary diagnostic modality for non thyroidal neck lesions, showing excellent concordance with histopathology. While it can reliably guide initial clinical management, histopathological confirmation remains essential in inconclusive or suspicious cases.

Background and Aims: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the most common ‘sleep disorders involving episodes of complete or partial collapse of the airway, leading to a decrease in oxygen saturation or arousal from sleep. The main consequences in children involve the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, and metabolic systems. The objective of this study is to assess the level of awareness of pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) among parents in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. The study participants were the male and female population of Majmaah. The data was collected by a pre-tested questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed awareness regarding the OSA definition, risk factors, associated symptoms, and treatment. The data was analyzed by using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Results: The results of the study show that most of the participants, 169 (61.7%) had moderate knowledge of OSA, 66 (24.2%) had high knowledge, and 38 (13.9%) had low knowledge of OSA. Conclusion: This study shows that most parents surveyed were not well-informed about the signs and risk factors of OSA in children. Our study emphasizes the need to educate parents more about pediatric OSA to increase the level of awareness.

Introduction: The Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score is a preoperative Computed Tomography (CT)-based scoring system developed to predict the presence of Adherent Perinephric Fat (APF), a known contributor to increased surgical difficulty. While extensively studied in partial nephrectomy, its application in Laparoscopic Transperitoneal Simple Nephrectomy (LTSN) remains unvalidated. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the MAP score in predicting surgical difficulty and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing LTSN. Materials and Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Urology, IPGME&amp;R ,Kolkata, West Bengal, India, from July 2024 to March 2025. Fifty patients undergoing LTSN for benign non-functioning kidneys were enrolled. Preoperative MAP scores were calculated from CT imaging. Patients were categorised into three groups: Low (0-1), Moderate (2-3), and High (4-5) MAP scores. Surgical difficulty was graded using a novel composite score based on intraoperative and postoperative parameters. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman’s rank correlation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v25, considering the ordinal nature of MAP scores and non-parametric data distribution. and a p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 50 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 53.2±10.6 years and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 26.1±3.4 kg/m². Based on MAP score stratification, 12 (24.0%) patients were categorised into the Low MAP group (0-1), 23 (46.0%) patients into the moderate MAP group (2-3), and 15 (30.0%) patients into the high MAP group. A statistically significant association was observed between MAP scores and all intraoperative and postoperative difficulty markers. The high MAP group had the longest operative time (170.53±30.1 min), greatest blood loss (569.27±107.02 mL), maximum haemoglobin decline (2.05±0.48%), highest complication rate (73.3%) and prolonged hospital stay (7.53±1.36 days). The Low MAP group showed favourable metrics across all parameters (operative time 107.5±22.13 min, blood loss 258.25±37.68 mL, complications in 16.7%, and hospital stay 3.92±1.08 days). Kruskal-Wallis test confirmed statistical significance (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The MAP score is a validated, reliable preoperative tool for predicting surgical difficulty in LTSN. High MAP scores are significantly associated with increased surgical complexity, prolonged operative time, blood loss, and postoperative complications.

Introduction: Nesfatin-1 plays a crucial role in maintaining energy balance and regulating food intake through its action on both central and peripheral pathways. In addition to peripheral organs, including adipocytes, pancreatic islets, and stomach endocrine cells, it is primarily released by the hypothalamus. By encouraging peripheral glucose uptake and inhibiting gluconeogenesis, nesfatin-1 increases insulin sensitivity. Diabetes mellitus is preceded by prediabetes. Aim: To compare nesfatin-1 in the regulation of glucose homeostasis across different stages of glycaemia. Materials and Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from May 2024 to March 2025. The study involved 90 adults, both men and women, aged 20 to 45 years. They were divided into three groups based on American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) criteria into euglycaemic (HbA1c &lt;5.7%), prediabetic (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5%). Age, sex, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and Blood Pressure (BP) values were taken into account. Serum samples of the above individuals were separated and stored for analysing nesfatin-1 levels. Nesfatin-1 levels were analysed using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. The three groups’ continuous variables were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The relationship between serum nesfatin-1 levels and metabolic markers was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation. Statistical significance was established at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Nesfatin-1 levels varied considerably among the three glycaemic groups (p-value=0.003), with newly diagnosed diabetics having median levels of 161.1 pg/mL, prediabetic people having 132.41 pg/mL and euglycaemic people having 149.28 pg/mL. Nesfatin-1 levels were lower in prediabetic individuals when compared to euglycaemic and newly diagnosed diabetic individuals. The prevalence of insulin resistance [Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥2.9] was higher in newly diagnosed diabetics, 17/30 (57%), than in prediabetics, 4/30 (13%) and euglycaemics, 4/30 (13%). All groups had substantial prevalences of obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ), 17/30 (57%) of euglycaemic people, 17/30 (57%) of prediabetic people, and 19/30 (63%) of newly diagnosed diabetic people. This suggests that insulin resistance and obesity play a part in early glucose dysregulation. Conclusion: Early disruptions in glucose metabolism may be linked to altered nesfatin-1 levels. Increased BMI and HOMA-IR are important markers of type 2 diabetes progression, highlighting the necessity of early identification and individualised treatment plans.

Introduction: Due to the blockade of gallstones, the hepatobiliary system, especially the gall bladder, can undergo chemical inflammation called cholecystitis. It is mostly complicated by the invasion of gut bacteria. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of biliary microflora and prepare an antibiogram for all the gall bladder pathologies in a tertiary care hospital in South India. Materials and Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, among patients undergoing cholecystectomy from March 2024 to February 2025. Bile was collected from each patient and sent for culture and antibiogram. The data were recorded into Microsoft Excel and the statistical data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled for this study. Out of 60, 27 (45%) specimens showed no growth, 11 (18.3%) were positive for Escherichia coli (E. coli), 9 (15%) for Klebsiella, 6 (10%) for Proteus, 4 (6.7%) for Enterococcus, 2 (3.3%) for Salmonella, and 1 (1.7%) for Shigella. All the isolates except Klebsiella and Proteus were 100% sensitive for Piptaz. Amoxycillin was found to be least effective followed by ceftriaxone with all 6 and 3 isolates, respectively having ≥50% resistivity. Conclusion: Biliary microflora antibiogram revealed resistivity against commonly used antibiotics including amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone while most of the isolated microbial strains were found sensitive to Piptaz and meropenem.

Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic haemoglobinopathy frequently associated with renal complications that progress silently and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Conventional renal biomarkers such as serum creatinine and urea often rise only after substantial nephron loss has occurred. Serum cystatin-C, an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, has emerged as a promising early biomarker of renal dysfunction, independent of age, sex, and muscle mass. Aim: To estimate serum cystatin-C level and renal function tests in adult SCD patients and to analyse their correlation with conventional renal parameters. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Dhiraj General Hospital and Smt. Bhikhiben Kanjibhai Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, over a period of one year from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 204 adult male and female SCD patients were enrolled. Patients with known renal disease, renal surgery, or on nephrotoxic medications were excluded. Serum cystatin-C was estimated using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), while serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, protein, albumin, and electrolytes were measured using a fully automated biochemistry analyser (EM-200). Data were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software, and analysis was performed to assess Pearson’s correlation coefficients, p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The current study evaluated 204 patients with SCD (83 males and 121 females), with a mean age of 21.59±3.61 years. Among this group, 23 patients (11.3%) were identified as having renal dysfunction. Patients with renal dysfunction demonstrated significantly elevated serum urea (72.5±51.9 vs. 24.7±8.02 mg/dL, p-value &lt;0.001), creatinine (2.13±1.5 vs. 0.67±0.12 mg/dL, p-value &lt;0.001), and uric acid, along with reduced serum protein and albumin compared to those without dysfunction. Electrolyte disturbances elevated sodium (135- 145 mEq/L) K+(3.5-5.0 mEq/L), Cl-(90-110 mEq/L) were also noted. Serum cystatin-C showed a strong positive correlation with serum urea (r-value=0.7034, p-value &lt;0.001) and creatinine (r-value=0.8031, p-value &lt;0.001), highlighting its sensitivity in detecting renal impairment. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Serum cystatin-C is a valuable early biomarker of renal dysfunction in SCD patients, showing stronger correlation with renal impairment than conventional markers. Routine incorporation of cystatin-C testing may enable timely diagnosis, monitoring, and prevention of progression to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in this high-risk group.

Transportation is one of the most important functions of logistics management because of its impact on both the level of customer service provision and the organization’s cost structure. The study explores the transportation cost optimization strategies and how they affect the supply chain performance of Shea nuts in the Agro-processing industries in Ghana. The quantitative study design was adopted and utilized to solicit data. With a sample size of 204 respondents. Data was analyzed using multiple linear regression in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v20). The results revealed interesting findings in the supply chain within the institution as it seeks to assert that transportation is seen to be effective and contribute highly to firms output when Agro companies use outsourcing and pooling as means of transport. From the results, the supply chain correlated positively and significantly with outsourcing and pooling as transport optimization practices in Agro firms supply chain. This paper adds to the existing literature on the supply chain systems of Agro processing firms but departs from previous studies which seek to concentrate not on the transport optimization of the Agro processing firms but rather on the challenges, production, and profit maximization of these firms. Our study is unique unlike any otheIn this research, a heterogeneous tricomposite catalyst was developed to facilitate biodiesel synthesis reaction. The Musa ABB (Kachkal) banana trunk was explored as the biowaste for the preparation of the catalyst. The trunk of the plant was cut into pieces, dried and burnt into ashes, and underwent heat treatment at 550 ℃ for 2 h. The calcined trunk was treated with potassium carbonate and CuO and the final composite was named a calcined banana trunk-K2CO3-CuO (CTKC) catalyst. The CTKC catalyst was employed in the production of rice bran pongamia oil methyl ester (RPOME) from rice bran and Pongamia pinnata (RP) oil blend in 1:1 ratio. The CTKC catalyst was characterized via XRD, and FT-IR analytical tools. Similarly, FT-IR and 1H NMR were employed to examine RP oil blend and RPOME. Under the optimized condition of 7 wt.% catalyst amount, 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (MTOMR), and 65 ℃ reaction temperature, the highest biodiesel yield was found to be 94.07 %. The density of RPOME was found to be 0.8811 g/cm3 which fits into the specified limit of EN 14214 and the kinematic viscosity of RPOME was found to be 3.5403 mm2/s which falls under both ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. In brief, the CTKC catalyst functions as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel from a binary blend of edible oil (rice bran) and non-edible oil (Pongamia pinnata). This represents an innovative strategy to tackle the rising pollution caused by diesel and petroleum-derived from fossil fuels used in vehicles. r research previously authored as it seeks to reveal the option of transport optimization that is cost effective and efficiently productive for Agro processing firms to adopt.