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Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. In 2018, 9.6 million deaths were attributed to cancer, and it is affecting around 18 million patients each year. Natural products have been considered as the major source of lead compounds for cancer treatment. A large number of natural products have been reported by researchers all over the world and many of them are in clinical trials. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in pentacyclic triterpenoids such as Oleanolic acid, ß-boswellic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid and maslinic acid as potential anticancer agents reflected by the exponential increase in the number of scientific publications and patents published on these natural products all over the world. Moreover, some of these pentacyclic triterpenoids have already been marketed in some countries as therapeutic agents for the treatment of several disorders such as cancer, diabetes, inflammation, liver disorders, etc. Two major derivatives of oleanolic acid, CDDO and CDDO-Me, have been entered into clinical trials against cancer. This book highlights the potential of oleanolic acid and its derivatives in the treatment of several human disorders. Initial chapters discuss the sources, extraction, biosynthesis and various reported biological activities of oleanolic acid while subsequent chapters describe the in vitro and in vivo applications of oleanolic acid and its different derivatives in several diseases such as bacterial infections, breast cancer, colon cancer and hepatic disorders. The last chapter of the book describes the nanoparticle-mediated delivery of oleanolic acid in cancer.

The present study aims at developing PGMD (poly-glycerol-malic acid-dodecanedioic acid)/curcumin nanoparticles based formulation for anticancer activity against breast cancer cells. The nanoparticles were prepared using both the variants of PGMD polymer (PGMD 7:3 and PGMD 6:4) with curcumin (i.e. CUR NP 7:3 and CUR NP 6:4). The size of CUR NP 7:3 and CUR NP 6:4 were found to be ~ 110 and 218 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.174 and 0.36, respectively. Further, the zeta potential of the particles was − 18.9 and − 17.5 mV for CUR NP 7:3 and CUR NP 6:4, respectively. The entrapment efficiency of both the nanoparticles was in the range of 75–81%. In vitro anticancer activity and the scratch assay were conducted on breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The IC 50 of the nanoformulations was observed to be 40.2 and 33.6 μM at 48 h for CUR NP 7:3 and CUR NP 6:4, respectively, in MCF-7 cell line; for MDA-MB-231 it was 43.4 and 30.5 μM. Acridine orange/EtBr and DAPI staining assays showed apoptotic features and nuclear anomalies in the treated cells. This was further confirmed by western blot analysis that showed overexpression of caspase 9 indicating curcumin role in apoptosis.

Narmada River is considered to be the holy river of the state Madhya Pradesh. A study was considered for the development of water quality index using eight parameters pH, Temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, Nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3-N), Phosphate (PO43−), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO) measured at six different sites (S1–S6) along the river Narmada. Three methods (Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index, National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index and Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index) were used for calculation of water quality index. This was observed that the water quality was found to be excellent to good in the season summer and winter and poor to unsuitable for human consumption in the season monsoon along the river Narmada. The fall in the quality of water in monsoon season was due to poor sanitation, turbulent flow, soil erosion and high anthropogenic activities.

Learner agency (LA), a student’s ability to take ownership of their learning and make purposeful decisions, is increasingly recognized as a critical competency in preparing adaptable healthcare professionals. While LA has been explored in general education, its development within dental education, particularly in the context of problem-based learning (PBL), remains underexplored. This qualitative study investigated undergraduate dental students’ perceptions of how a PBL curriculum supports the development of LA. Using purposive sampling, Year 2 and 3 students enrolled in a PBL-based dental program were invited to participate in focus group discussions conducted between September 2024 and March 2025. Four audio-recorded sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using a combined deductive-inductive approach with MAXQDA software. Twenty-two students participated in the study. Findings revealed that PBL supported key elements of LA, including enhanced motivation, self-efficacy, knowledge acquisition, goal setting, and reflective practices. Peer collaboration and facilitator guidance were identified as important enablers. However, challenges such as workload intensity, time management difficulties, and uneven peer participation were perceived as barriers to fully exercising agency. Overall, participants viewed PBL as a valuable foundation for fostering LA in dental education. Addressing structural and contextual barriers may further optimize its impact and better support the development of autonomous, self-regulated learners.

Background Learner agency involves students actively engaging in their learning process and shaping their educational experiences through autonomy, self-regulation, and decision-making. In professional education, particularly within health professions, learner agency is critical for fostering adaptability and lifelong learning. This scoping review explores how learner agency, alongside concepts such as self-regulated learning and self-directed learning, is addressed in undergraduate dental education, aiming to understand its implications and strategies for enhancing student agency in this context. Methods The scoping review examined literature on self-regulated learning, self-directed learning and learner agency in undergraduate dental education from 1994-April 2024 across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science. A manual search of the cited references was also conducted. Relevant studies were screened, and the findings were summarized to offer a comprehensive overview and identify research gaps. Results In total, 33 studies were included in the review. The results revealed a strong interconnection between intrapersonal, behavioral, and contextual dimensions in shaping learner agency through self-regulated learning and self-directed learning among undergraduate dental students. The studies analyzed, predominantly quantitative, highlighted the multifaceted relationships among self-regulated learning and self-directed learning and learner agency, emphasizing its significance for educational practice and policy. Conclusions Self-regulated learning and self-directed learning are crucial for developing learner agency, aiding undergraduate students’ transition into independent professionals and fostering lifelong learning behaviors. Educational strategies should prioritize empowering students to become independent learners, reducing their reliance on faculty. Further research is needed to identify effective methods for promoting learner agency development among dental students.

Elevated arm work is prevalent in many jobs. Feasible device-based methods are available to measure elevated arm work. However, we lack knowledge on the association between device-measured elevated arm work and prospective risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA). We aimed to investigate this association. At baseline, 937 workers wore accelerometers on the right arm and thigh over 1-5 workdays to measure work time spent with elevated arms in an upright position. Between baseline and 4-year prospective follow-up in the national registers, we obtained information on the individuals` first event of LTSA (≥6 consecutive weeks). We performed compositional Cox proportional hazard analyses to model the association between work time with arm elevation >30˚, >60˚, or >90˚ and the probability of LTSA. Workers spent 21% of their work time with >30˚ arm elevation, 4% with >60˚ arm elevation, and 1% with >90˚ arm elevation; in the upright body position. We found a positive dose-response association between work time spent with elevated arm work and the risk of LTSA. Specifically, we found that increasing two minutes of work time spent with arm elevation at (i) >90˚ increased the risk of LTSA by 14% [hazard ratio (HR) 1.14, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI 1.04-1.25)] (ii) >60˚ increased the LTSA risk by 3% (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.03-1.06), and (iii) >30˚ increased the LTSA risk by 1% (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02). Device-measured elevated arm work is associated with increased prospective LTSA. This information ought to be brought into preventive workplace practice by accessible and feasible device-based methods of elevated arm work.

Background Cancer survivors experience a decrement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) resulting from the disease as well as adverse effects of therapy. We evaluated the HRQoL of cancer patients, stratified by primary cancer site, stage, treatment response and associated adverse events, along with its determinants. Methods Data were collected from 12,148 patients, sampled from seven purposively chosen leading cancer hospitals in India, to elicit HRQoL using the EuroQol questionnaire comprising of 5-dimensions and 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L). Multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between HRQoL and various socio-demographic as well as clinical characteristics. Results Majority outpatients (78.4%) and inpatients (81.2%) had solid cancers. The disease was found to be more prevalent among outpatients (37.5%) and inpatients (40.5%) aged 45–60 years and females (49.3–58.3%). Most patients were found to be in stage III (40–40.6%) or stage IV (29.4–37.3%) at the time of recruitment. The mean EQ-5D-5 L utility score was significantly higher among outpatients [0.630 (95% CI: 0.623, 0.637)] as compared to inpatients [0.553 (95% CI: 0.539, 0.567)]. The HRQoL decreased with advancing cancer stage among both inpatients and outpatients, respectively [stage IV: (0.516 & 0.557); stage III (0.609 & 0.689); stage II (0.677 & 0.713); stage I (0.638 & 0.748), p value < 0.001]. The outpatients on hormone therapy (B = 0.076) showed significantly better HRQoL in comparison to patients on chemotherapy. However, palliative care (B=-0.137) and surgery (B=-0.110) were found to be associated with significantly with poorer HRQoL paralleled to chemotherapy. The utility scores among outpatients ranged from 0.305 (bone cancer) to 0.782 (Leukemia). Among hospitalized cases, the utility score was lowest for multiple myeloma (0.255) and highest for testicular cancer (0.771). Conclusion Older age, lower educational status, chemotherapy, palliative care and surgery, advanced cancer stage and progressive disease were associated with poor HRQoL. Our study findings will be useful in optimising patient care, formulating individualized treatment plan, improving compliance and follow-up.

Trachyspermum ammi Linn. (Ajwain) is a widely cultivated medicinal plant known for its diverse therapeutic applications, including menstrual problems, diarrhea, abdominal tumors, abdominal pain, piles, and breathing problems. Recent advances in nanotechnology have highlighted the potential of T. ammi-derived nanoparticles for biomedical and industrial applications. This review summarizes the taxonomy, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicological aspects of T. ammi seeds, with particular focus on their role in green nanotechnology. Bioactive constituents such as thymol, γ-terpinenes, and carvacrol act as reducing and stabilizing agents in naoparticle synthesis. Applications of these nanoparticles include antimicrobial therapy, drug delivery, anticancer activity, wound healing, food preservation, and environmental remediation. While in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate significant activity, clinical investigations remain limited, necessitating further research to establish safety, efficacy, and scalability. Overall, T. ammi-mediated nanoparticles present promising prospects for sustainable biomedical and industrial applications.

Surface water samples from Godavari river basin was analyzed quantitatively for the concentration of eight heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The analyzed data revealed that iron and zinc metals were found to be the most abundant metals in the river Godavari and its tributaries. Iron (Fe) recorded the highest, while cadmium (Cd) had the least concentration. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, iron and zinc metals are within the acceptable limit of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 1050 (2012) Specification for drinking water, pp 1–5). The analysis of Godavari river and its tributary’s water samples reveals that the water is contaminated at selected points which are not suitable for drinking. Nickel and Copper concentration is above acceptable limit and other metal concentration is within the acceptable limit. Comprehensive study of the results reveals that out of 18 water quality stations monitored, water samples collected at 7 water quality stations are found to be within the permissible limit for all purposes. While Rajegaon, Tekra, Nandgaon, P. G. Bridge, Bhatpalli, Kumhari, Pauni, Hivra, Ashti, Bamini, and Jagda stations were beyond the desirable limit due to presence of copper and nickel metals. The contents of copper metal ions were higher at some water quality stations on Wunna river (Nandgaon); Wardha river (Hivra) and Wainganga river (Kumhari, Pauni, Ashti) during Feb. 2012, while nickel concentration during Feb. 2012, June 2012, March 2013 and Aug. 2013 at some water quality stations on rivers Bagh, Indravati, Pranhita, Wunna, Penganga, Peddavagu, Wainganga and Wardha. It can be concluded that rapid population growth and industrialization have brought about resource degradation and a decline in environmental quality.

Macrocephaly, defined as a large head size, has a very broad differential and sometimes can be challenging to differentiate as benign versus indicative of pathology. In this review, we outline a stepwise approach to improving diagnosis of neurogenetic disorders versus other causes using the example of PTEN (phosphatase and TENsin homolog) Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). PHTS is a multiple hamartoma syndrome with medical management implications including the need for tumor surveillance, but often cases are not diagnosed until later in adulthood. Our review emphasizes the utility of using head circumference z scores in combination with other features as a triage tool for genetic identification of disorders such as PHTS.