Scientific Hub of Applied Research in Emerging Medical science & technology

DOMS or Damage? A Novel Case study of Hamstring Myofascial Dysfunction in a Sprinter

Manikandan K, Subash M, Alagappan Thiyagarajan, Kiran Velukuri — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common physiological response to eccentric exercise, but atypical or prolonged presentations in competitive athletes may mimic muscle strain. This report presents a novel case of prolonged hamstring DOMS in a track and field athlete, highlighting the clinical reasoning and outcome-based physiotherapy approach leading to full recovery. Methods: A 21-year-old male sprinter developed posterior thigh pain and stiffness 48 hours after an eccentric sprint and plyometric session. Clinical examination revealed diffuse tenderness over the biceps femoris without structural damage on ultrasound. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Active Knee Extension (AKE) for hamstring flexibility, and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) for functional ability. A 21-day progressive physiotherapy plan was followed. Phase 1 included cryotherapy, gentle stretching, and soft tissue release. Phase 2 emphasized eccentric reactivation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and proprioceptive training. Phase 3 focused on sport-specific sprint drills and functional reconditioning. Results: Initially, the athlete recorded a VAS score of 6/10, AKE of 125°, and LEFS of 56/80, indicating moderate pain and reduced flexibility and function. After one week, pain reduced to 3/10 with improved mobility. By the end of the second week, flexibility increased to 150°, and LEFS improved to 70/80. After three weeks, the athlete achieved full pain relief (VAS 0/10), complete flexibility (AKE 165°), and near-normal function (LEFS 78/80). He successfully returned to sprint training without recurrence at a four-week follow-up. Discussion: The prolonged DOMS presentation resembled a mild strain but was primarily neuromuscular and myofascial in origin. The use of functional and patient-specific outcome tools enabled precise monitoring of recovery and guided timely progression of exercises. Early eccentric reactivation and proprioceptive retraining were critical in preventing chronic dysfunction and facilitating an efficient return to sport. Conclusion: This case illustrates that atypical hamstring DOMS can mimic strain in high-performance athletes. Integrating pain, flexibility, and functional outcome measures with a structured, evidence-based rehabilitation approach ensures accurate diagnosis, optimal recovery, and safe return to sport

Improving Thermoregulation and Skin Integrity Monitoring for Neonates

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Thermoregulation and skin integrity are critical elements of neonatal safety and survival. Inconsistent monitoring of these parameters increases risks of hypothermia, hyperthermia, and skin breakdown in vulnerable neonates. Baseline audits in the NICU revealed 35% unstable temperatures, 28% skin integrity issues, and poor documentation compliance (<65%).

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) project was implemented using the FOCUS–PDCA framework from April to June 2025. Interventions included structured simulation-based training, implementation of a monitoring checklist, environmental control audits, and weekly compliance feedback. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Post-implementation data demonstrated:

Stable body temperature in 92% of neonates (↑ 27 points).
Intact skin integrity in 91% of neonates (↑ 19 points).
Documentation compliance improved from 62% → 96%.
100% of NICU staff completed training and checklist use reached 89%.

Conclusion: The structured, multidisciplinary intervention significantly improved neonatal thermoregulation, skin integrity outcomes, and staff compliance. Sustaining gains requires continuous education, regular audits, and equipment maintenance.

Improving Patient Identification Compliance during Shift Handover in the Male Medical Ward

Angel G Joseph, Mubarak Hanyan Almasan, Hind Ali-Suwasis, Ali Abdullah Mohammed — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Accurate patient identification is essential to prevent medical errors, ensure patient safety, and improve continuity of care. Routine audits in the Male Medical Ward of Wadi Al-Dawaser General Hospital revealed poor compliance (62%) with patient identification protocols during shift handovers, resulting in misidentification incidents and near-miss events.

Objectives: To improve adherence to patient identification protocols during every shift handover.

To achieve ≥90% compliance rate in patient ID verification by July 2025.
To reduce misidentification-related incidents by at least 80%.

Methods: This quality improvement project followed the FOCUS–PDCA model. Interventions included the development of a structured handover checklist with embedded patient identification steps, focused staff training, visual reminders, and biweekly compliance audits. Data were collected through observational audits and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Patient identification compliance improved from 62% to 91% (+29%), misidentification incidents dropped from 5 to 1 per 1000 patients (−80%), and staff knowledge scores increased from 65% to 90% (+25%).

Conclusion: Structured handover checklists and regular audits significantly improved patient identification compliance, reduced misidentification risk, and fostered a culture of safety. Sustaining improvement requires continuous education, supervision, and reinforcement.

Green, Portable and Smart HPLC: Sustainable Workflows, Miniaturised Systems and AI-Driven Chromatography

Nagajyothi Bhavanam — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains an indispensable analytical tool in pharmaceutical, environmental, and biochemical sciences. However, conventional HPLC workflows are increasingly challenged by high solvent consumption, energy demands, and environmental footprints. The paradigm of Green, Portable, and Smart HPLC has emerged as a transformative response aligning analytical chemistry with sustainability and digitalisation goals. The integration of green analytical chemistry (GAC) principles, miniaturised architectures, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation has enabled low-solvent, high-efficiency, and intelligent chromatographic operations. This review comprehensively discusses the transition from traditional solvent-intensive systems to eco-efficient, portable, and digitally integrated chromatographic technologies. It critically examines solvent substitution strategies, environmentally benign stationary phases, micro- and nano-HPLC systems, and AI-enhanced method optimisation. Furthermore, the role of Internet of Things (IoT), cloud analytics, and hybrid HPLC-MS platforms in real-time monitoring and field deployment is explored. The review also analyses current regulatory validation frameworks, economic implications, and the evolving vision toward autonomous, self-learning chromatographic systems. Collectively, these innovations signify a paradigm shift toward sustainable and intelligent HPLC, harmonising analytical excellence with environmental stewardship and operational efficiency.

Characterization of Griseofulvin Niosomes via Thin Film Hydration Technique

A. Sambasiva Rao, Ramesh Babu Janga, Vadlamudi Bhumika, B. Sudheer — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Griseofulvin, a potent antifungal drug, suffers from poor solubility and low oral bioavailability, necessitating advanced delivery approaches. In this study, eighteen niosomal formulations were prepared using the thin-film hydration method by varying surfactant type, surfactant-to-cholesterol ratios, and Stearylamine levels. Tween-60-based formulations showed superior performance, with Formulation F18 (Tween-60: Cholesterol 2:1, 0.75% Stearylamine) emerging as the optimized system. F18 achieved the highest entrapment efficiency (72.73%), smallest vesicle size (3.38 µm), and near-complete sustained release (94.86% in 24 hrs). Release kinetics followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, confirming a diffusion-controlled, non-Fickian mechanism. Stability studies demonstrated that F18 remained physically and functionally stable for three months at both refrigerated and room temperature conditions. Overall, niosomal encapsulation particularly the optimized F18 offers a promising strategy to enhance the solubility, stability, and controlled delivery of Griseofulvin, potentially improving its therapeutic efficacy.

IMPROVING TIMELY UPDATE OF NURSING CARE PLANS DURING SHIFT CHANGES

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Timely updating of nursing care plans during shift changes is essential to ensure continuity of care, accurate documentation, and effective communication among nurses. Baseline audits in the Male Medical Ward at Wadi Al-Dawasir General Hospital (WDGH) revealed delays and inconsistencies in care plan updates during handovers, leading to potential gaps in patient information and safety risks.

Objectives: This quality improvement project aimed to achieve ≥95% compliance in timely updating nursing care plans during shift changes by Q3 2025 and to enhance continuity and quality of patient care through standardized handover protocols and regular audits.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post intervention design was implemented in the Male Medical Ward from July to September 2025. Interventions included staff training on documentation standards, development and implementation of a care plan update checklist, placement of visual reminders, and regular audits with feedback. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were care plan update compliance, documentation accuracy, and staff adherence to the handover checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and trend analysis.

Results: Care plan update compliance improved from 68% at baseline to 96% post-implementation. Documentation accuracy increased from 70% to 97%, and staff adherence to the handover checklist rose from 65% to 94%. Mid-project values in August 2025 were 84%, 88%, and 80%, respectively, indicating a steady upward trend across all indicators.

Conclusion: Standardizing the handover process through a care plan update checklist, combined with focused staff training and continuous audits, significantly improved the timeliness and accuracy of nursing care plan documentation. The intervention enhanced continuity of care and can be replicated in other wards to promote safe and effective shift handovers.

ENHANCING THERMOREGULATION MONITORING PRACTICES IN NEONATES: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE NICU

ANGEL G JOSEPH, MUBARAK HANYAN ALMASAN, HIND ALI-SUWASIS, MRIAMMA THOMAS — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Thermoregulation is a critical component of neonatal care, especially for preterm and low-birth-weight infants. Audits conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) identified inconsistent temperature monitoring and documentation, resulting in delayed recognition of hypothermia or hyperthermia. Such deviations pose serious risks to neonatal safety and clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To achieve 100% compliance in accurate and timely monitoring and documentation of neonatal thermoregulation in the NICU by 04 October 2025 through the implementation of a standardized checklist, structured staff training, and regular monitoring audits.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post intervention study was conducted between July and September 2025. Interventions included staff re-orientation, development of a thermoregulation monitoring checklist, visual reminders, and continuous audit–feedback cycles. Key indicators measured were monitoring compliance, documentation accuracy, and adherence to the 2-hourly temperature monitoring schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and trend analysis.

Results: Thermoregulation monitoring compliance improved from 70% at baseline to 97% post-implementation. Documentation accuracy increased from 72% to 96%, while adherence to the monitoring schedule rose from 68% to 94%. All indicators exceeded project targets.

Conclusion: Standardizing temperature monitoring practices through a unified checklist, combined with structured training and continuous supervision, significantly improved compliance and documentation accuracy. The interventions enhanced neonatal safety and established sustainable monitoring practices in the NICU.

IMPROVING NURSE RESPONSE TIME TO HIGH-PRIORITY CALL BELLS: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE PEDIATRIC WARD

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Delayed nurse responses to high-priority call bells pose substantial patient safety risks. Baseline evaluation in the Pediatric Ward at WDGH revealed an average response time of 4.8 minutes, far exceeding the hospital benchmark of ≤2 minutes, resulting in delayed interventions, reduced patient satisfaction, and increased clinical risk.

Objectives: To reduce the average nurse response time to high-priority call bells to ≤60 seconds (hospital KPI ≤2 minutes) by September 2025 through workflow optimization, system monitoring, and staff training.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post intervention design was used from July–September 2025. Interventions included development of a standardized call-bell response protocol, staff education, installation of visual alert systems, response-time logbooks, and weekly monitoring audits. Response time data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and trend analysis.

Results: The average response time improved steadily from 4.8 minutes (June baseline) to 1.6 minutes by September 2025, meeting the target of ≤2 minutes and reflecting a 67% improvement. Staff compliance with the call-bell protocol increased from 60% to 98%, and calls answered within ≤2 minutes increased from 42% to 94%.

Conclusion: Standardizing workflow, improving alert visibility, and strengthening staff accountability significantly reduced response times and enhanced patient safety. The project achieved sustained results and is recommended for hospital-wide adoption.

Gene Therapy & CAR-T Cell Products – Regulatory Framework

Rudroju Anusha, Akash Pujari — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The advent of gene therapies and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell products represents a paradigm shift in modern medicine, offering curative potential for previously intractable genetic disorders and cancers. However, their complex biological nature, personalized manufacturing processes, and unique safety profiles, including risks of cytokine release syndrome and insertional mutagenesis, present significant regulatory challenges. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global regulatory frameworks governing these advanced therapies, comparing the expedited pathways and requirements of major agencies including the US FDA (e.g., RMAT designation), European EMA (e.g., ATMP Regulation, PRIME), Japan's PMDA (e.g., Sakigake), and emerging regulators in India (CDSCO) and China (NMPA). Through detailed case studies of landmark therapies such as the successful approvals of Luxturna and Kymriah, the commercial failure of Glybera, and the cost-effective model of India's indigenous NexCAR19 the review identifies critical success factors and common pitfalls in development and commercialization. It further explores the regulatory hurdles facing next-generation "off-the-shelf" allogeneic CAR-T therapies, which, while promising greater scalability and lower costs, introduce new concerns regarding graft-versus-host disease and gene-editing risks. The analysis concludes that the future of this field hinges on the development of adaptive, harmonized regulatory strategies that can keep pace with innovation. Key recommendations include the global standardization of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) requirements, the adoption of innovative clinical trial designs for small patient populations, and the implementation of outcome-based pricing models to ensure these groundbreaking treatments are not only safe and effective but also accessible and affordable worldwide.

HPLC in the Era of Biopharma: Advances in Column Chemistry, Automation and Data Analytics

Nagajyothi Bhavanam — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains the cornerstone of analytical characterization in the biopharmaceutical industry, despite the proliferation of newer orthogonal and hyphenated techniques. The rapid expansion of biologics including monoclonal antibodies, peptides, oligonucleotides, viral vectors, and antibody–drug conjugates has necessitated substantial advances in chromatographic science. Innovations in column chemistry, encompassing superficially porous particles, hybrid organic–silica materials, and monolithic supports, have enhanced the resolution, sensitivity, and speed of biomolecule separations. Parallel to these material advancements, the integration of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data analytics has transformed chromatographic workflows into highly intelligent, self-optimizing systems. Modern HPLC instruments are now embedded within digital ecosystems that comply with regulatory expectations, promote sustainability, and align with the principles of Quality-by-Design (QbD) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT). This review provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of HPLC in the biopharmaceutical era, focusing on developments in column design, mobile-phase optimization, detection systems, and digital transformation. Furthermore, it discusses how emerging paradigms such as green chromatography, AI-driven decision support, and continuous analytics are redefining the future of pharmaceutical quality assurance. By integrating scientific innovation with data-driven intelligence, HPLC continues to serve as an indispensable analytical platform in biopharmaceutical discovery, process development, and regulatory compliance.

REVOLUTIONIZING ONCOLOGY: RECENT ADVANCES IN IMMUNOTHERAPY AND IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS FOR CANCER TREATMENT

VEMU PRIYANKA — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the therapeutic landscape of oncology by harnessing the body’s immune system to recognize and eradicate malignant cells. Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies, and personalized neoantigen vaccines have redefined treatment paradigms across multiple malignancies. The discovery of key regulatory pathways such as programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) has been instrumental in elucidating the mechanisms of immune tolerance and tumor immune evasion. The clinical success of monoclonal antibodies targeting these checkpoints such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab has led to durable responses in cancers once considered refractory to treatment. Recent innovations include the development of bispecific and trispecific antibodies, integration of CAR-T and CAR-NK cells for solid tumors, and multi-omics-guided precision immunotherapy. However, the rise in immune-related adverse events (irAEs), resistance mechanisms, and variability in patient response highlight the need for predictive biomarkers and personalized strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), nanomedicine, and systems biology will optimize therapeutic efficacy and minimize toxicity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanistic, translational, and clinical advances in cancer immunotherapy from 2019 to 2025, emphasizing novel strategies that are shaping the future of precision oncology.