To review current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of sleep bruxism [SB] and its association with temporomandibular disorders [TMD]. A narrative review of recent literature was conducted, focusing on prevalence, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic strategies for SB and TMD. SB is increasingly recognized as a multifactorial condition with neurological, behavioral, and environmental determinants. Its frequent association with TMD complicates diagnosis and management. Advances in diagnostic technologies, including polysomnography, electromyography, and AI-assisted sleep analysis, have improved diagnostic precision. Management strategies include behavioral interventions, occlusal splints, pharmacologic options, and multidisciplinary care, with pediatric cases emphasizing conservative measures. SB and TMD are intricately linked conditions requiring a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Future research should focus on standardizing pediatric diagnostic criteria and assessing long-term outcomes of therapeutic interventions.

Alveolar ridge deficiency following tooth extraction, trauma, periodontal disease, and long-term edentulism presents a major challenge in implant rehabilitation. Adequate bone volume is essential for ideal implant positioning, long-term osseointegration, esthetic success, and functional stability. Autogenous bone grafting continues to be regarded as the gold standard in ridge augmentation because of its osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive properties. However, contemporary regenerative dentistry has introduced multiple evidence-based approaches that improve the predictability of horizontal and vertical ridge reconstruction while reducing morbidity and graft resorption. This review discusses the biologic basis of alveolar ridge resorption and critically evaluates current decision-making principles in horizontal and vertical ridge augmentation. Various reconstructive modalities including guided bone regeneration, autogenous block grafting, shell techniques, titanium mesh-assisted augmentation, distraction osteogenesis, and biologically enhanced regenerative procedures are analyzed with emphasis on clinical indications, advantages, limitations, and evidence-based outcomes. Horizontal ridge augmentation procedures generally demonstrate greater predictability and lower complication rates compared with vertical reconstruction, which remains surgically demanding because of limited vascularity, soft tissue tension, and graft instability. Recent evidence supports the use of combination grafting protocols involving autogenous bone and slowly resorbing biomaterials to enhance dimensional stability and reduce postoperative resorption. Digital technologies including cone-beam computed tomography, CAD/CAM-guided reconstruction, and customized titanium meshes have further improved surgical precision and treatment outcomes. Successful alveolar ridge reconstruction depends on careful defect analysis, individualized treatment planning, biologic principles, and meticulous soft tissue management. Contemporary evidence indicates that autogenous ridge augmentation remains the most reliable option for complex alveolar reconstruction despite ongoing advances in biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants for obstetric purposes is common in rural areas of Morocco. Some species may have uterotonic effects or pose risks during pregnancy, but local data remain limited. Objectives: To document the prevalence and characteristics of plant use to induce labor in the province of Taza, to identify the species and modes of preparation, to describe reported complications, and to analyze associated sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to November 2024 among pregnant or breastfeeding women attending health centers in the province of Taza. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered by midwives and analyzed with SPSS v.21 (descriptive statistics; Pearson’s chi-square test for education level; Spearman’s rank correlation for age; significance threshold p < 0.05). Results: Of the 102 participants, 37.3% reported using plants to induce labor, accounting for 58 distinct recipes. The most frequently cited species were Cinnamomum verum J (cinnamon; 25 cases), Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme; 14 cases), Matricaria chamomilla L (chamomile), and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek). Preparations were mainly in the form of infusions and decoctions, with a few cases involving abdominal massage. Reported complications included uterine hemorrhage, intense contractions, rapid labor progression, and three spontaneous abortions associated with the consumption of cinnamon and/or fenugreek. Use was predominantly non-medicalized (94.3%), with family and social networks being the primary source of information (94.3%). The practice was significantly associated with lower educational level (χ² = 22.503; p < 0.001) and showed a negative correlation with age (rho = −0.485; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of plants to induce labor is frequent in Taza and is often practiced without medical supervision, potentially exposing women to obstetric risks. There is a need to strengthen community health education, systematically screen for traditional practices during antenatal consultations, and undertake targeted pharmacovigilance studies.

Background: Chronic inflammatory rhinosinusitis (CIRS) is a prevalent ENT condition whose burden is amplified in elderly patients by immunosenescence, polypharmacy, and atypical clinical presentations. Conventional management strategies show significant limitations in this population. Objective: To review the current evidence on artificial intelligence (AI) applications for the diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up of CIRS, with a focus on elderly-specific challenges and opportunities. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Search terms included “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” “deep learning,” “chronic rhinosinusitis,” “elderly,” and “decision support.” Articles published between 2013 and 2025 in English were included. Results: AI demonstrates significant potential across all phases of CIRS management: automated CT sinus segmentation, endoscopic polyp detection, biotherapy response prediction, post-FESS recurrence-risk modeling, and intelligent remote monitoring. In elderly patients, AI’s capacity to integrate comorbidities and detect atypical imaging patterns yields clinically meaningful advantages. Conclusion: AI represents a pivotal step toward precision medicine in elderly CIRS management. Widespread clinical integration requires rigorous validation on geriatric cohorts, ethical governance, and structured clinician training.

This study was conducted in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, located in the Isangi district, 100 km west of the city of Yangambi, at 0°49′12″ N; 24°27′22″ E. To conduct this study, six one-hectare plots were established in Yangambi, within which seedlings of different height classes were measured and their x and y coordinates recorded. Each of the six plots contained a seed plant, except for plots 1 and 5. A total of 769 seedlings were recorded, averaging 128.1 stems/ha. Height class S1 had the highest number of individuals (358 stems across all six hectares, or 59.6 stems/ha) compared to the other classes, and their numbers decreased as the size of the individuals increased. The variability in the number of seedlings observed between plots confirms that there is a strong correlation (r ≈ 0.79), it is observed that plots with more seed trees generally have more seedlings; however, for dendrometric characteristics such as the diameter at breast height (DBH) of seed trees, which directly influences the abundance of seedlings under their canopy, the correlation is weak (r ≈ 0.27).

Globalisation has significantly transformed the concepts of law and justice by increasing international interconnectedness and influencing domestic legal systems through global institutions, human rights norms, and transnational governance. This paper examines the impact of globalisation on legal systems, justice delivery, legal pluralism, human rights, and international governance. It analyses major theories of justice proposed by John Rawls, Robert Nozick, and Amartya Sen, while also highlighting the Indian concept of Dharma as a foundation of ethical justice. The study discusses how globalisation creates opportunities for international cooperation and human rights protection, while also generating challenges such as inequality, corporate dominance, and unequal access to justice. The paper concludes that achieving justice in a globalised world requires stronger international accountability, inclusive legal reforms, and protection of human dignity across borders.

Background: Rising caesarean section rates and concerns regarding maternal safety continue to shape modern obstetric practice, especially in low-resource settings. Therefore, this study assessed postpartum hemorrhage and perineal injury among women undergoing VBAC at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 16 April to 15 October 2023, enrolling 100 pregnant women with one or two prior caesarean sections planned for vaginal delivery. After ethical approval and informed consent, data were collected with a structured questionnaire, and women undergoing trial of labour after caesarean (TOLAC) were monitored using maternal and fetal parameters, partogram, and oxytocin as per protocol. Outcomes included induction to delivery interval, mode of delivery, and maternal complications, and data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: Among 100 VBAC cases, mean age was 29.8 ± 11.4 years, with most aged 20–30 years (58.0%) and 82.0% at ≥37 weeks gestation. Hemoglobin ≥11 g/dL was seen in 72.0%, and membrane status was nearly equal (intact 52.0%, ruptured 48.0%). Mean induction–delivery interval was 8.37 ± 5.3 hours, with 64.0% delivering within 7–12 hours. VBAC success was 76.0% and repeat caesarean 24.0%. Overall, 83.0% had no complications; PPH occurred in 9.0%, perineal injury in 3.0%, and no uterine rupture was noted. Conclusion: VBAC is a safe and effective mode of delivery in appropriately selected women, with low rates of postpartum hemorrhage and perineal injury.

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital bronchopulmonary malformation characterized by nonfunctional lung tissue lacking communication with the tracheobronchial tree and a receiving systemic arterial supply. Intralobar sequestration (ILS), the most common subtype, is usually diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood and is rarely identified after the age of 50. ILS usually manifests with hemoptysis or recurrent pulmonary infection. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic mitral regurgitation and rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate and corticosteroids, who presented with mild exertional dyspnea and constitutional deterioration. Pulmonary function tests showed preserved ventilatory function and normal diffusing capacity, with no exercise-induced desaturation. Chest computed tomography revealed cystic lesions in the left lower lobe supplied by an aberrant artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta, consistent with intralobar pulmonary sequestration. This case highlights an unusual late diagnosis of ILS in a patient with autoimmune disease and emphasizes the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced computed tomography as well as the importance of individualized therapeutic decision-making.

Hyperthyroidism is a significant endocrine disorder characterized by excess synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones. Although hypothyroidism has drawn more attention in India, hyperthyroidism represents a growing public health concern, particularly in iodine-replete regions where autoimmune etiologies increasingly predominate. This paper reviews recent epidemiological data, risk determinants, and the national context of thyroid function disorders, focusing on the prevalence and distribution of hyperthyroidism across India. Analysis draws on large-scale epidemiological studies, regional hospital-based surveys, and meta-analytic reviews. Overall, the prevalence of overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism in India ranges between 1–3%, with notable gender, age, and geographic variation. Determinants include autoimmune susceptibility, iodine intake patterns, environmental goitrogens, stress, and genetic predisposition. The findings underscore the need for continuous surveillance, targeted screening in vulnerable populations, and integration of thyroid health into national non-communicable disease programs.

Although she was never a formal or confessional Buddhist, there is ample evidence that Iris Murdoch was attracted to and heavily influenced by Buddhist theory and practice, and that such influences are evident throughout her novels and philosophical work. The principal aims of this article are to examine the evidence for the Buddhist influences on Murdoch and, further, to explore the Buddhist elements in her novels and philosophy. In particular, the Buddhist concepts of anatta (not-self), karuna (compassion), dukkha (suffering), and sati (mindful attention/awareness) will be explored and analysed as key drivers of the narratives in some of her most famous novels. This analysis will be supplemented and supported by references to Murdoch’s ethical and metaphysical writings, to biographies, her recently discovered poetry, and to commentaries on her life and work.

Major sporting events are key vectors for building the image of a nation. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar demonstrated that a country in the Arab Gulf region can successfully host a world-class event, generate measurable soft power gains and spread positive reputational capital across the region. This paper, based on a netnographic methodology, identifies five positive dimensions of transferable legacy: organizational excellence, cultural hospitality, quality of infrastructure, exceptional overall appreciation, and quantified soft power. It then examines how Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup as part of its Vision 2030, can leverage each of these dimensions to accelerate its own national branding trajectory.

This paper presents a secure communication infrastructure for smart meter networks in electric utilities. The study addresses a major limitation in current advanced metering infrastructure research: communication security, monitoring, attack detection, and service continuity are often handled as separate topics. In actual utility operation, smart meter networks function within distributed environments that include field devices, gateways, concentrators, edge nodes, utility control platforms, and cloud-connected services. Such a structure creates exposure to unauthorized access, false data injection, message interception, privacy loss, and communication failure. To address these issues, the paper proposes a multi-layer framework that combines protected data transmission, distributed traffic monitoring, edge-level packet inspection, federated threat detection, and continuity support within one system model. The methodology evaluates the framework through communication, security, and reliability measures, including end-to-end delay, packet trust, detection accuracy, service availability, and recovery time. The discussion shows that the proposed framework maintains stable communication performance while improving attack detection and preserving partial operation during gateway failure, cloud disruption, and denial-of-service conditions. The results indicate that secure smart meter communication must be treated as a combined problem involving transmission protection, monitoring visibility, anomaly detection, and continuity of operation. The paper provides a practical model for future smart grid communication research and utility deployment planning.

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) increases early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) risk, raising morbidity and mortality. Neonatal sepsis presents nonspecifically, hindering early diagnosis. Procalcitonin (PCT) and other inflammatory markers are emerging as sensitive tools for timely detection. Objective: To find out the association between maternal serum procalcitonin level in preterm premature rupture of membrane patients with early onset of neonatal sepsis. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the Fetal-Maternal Medicine unit of the Obstetrics & Gynecology department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from January 2022 to December 2022. In this study, 99 preterm PROM patients were enrolled. After consent, the researcher interviewed each woman using a standardized questionnaire. Maternal venous blood (3ml) was collected aseptically on admission. Serum procalcitonin was measured via chemiluminescence (sandwich technique). Neonates were followed for EONS signs within 3 days, confirmed by CBC/CRP. SPSS 26.0 analyzed the data. Results: Most patients (53.5%) were aged 18–25 years (mean 25.2±5.1). Elevated maternal procalcitonin (>0.05 ng/ml) occurred in 61.6%. Neonatal survival was 90.9% (90/99); 9.1% died. Among 90 live neonates, 17.7% had lethargy/poor feeding, 10% respiratory distress. EONS was culture-confirmed in 8 babies (8.9%), all with elevated maternal procalcitonin (p=0.016, RR 1.74, 95% CI). Conclusion: Early-onset neonatal sepsis occurred in 8.9%, significantly linked to elevated maternal procalcitonin. Thus, maternal serum procalcitonin in preterm PROM is a useful, non-invasive biomarker for assessing EONS association.

Modern technology and digitalization have not merely reshaped the landscape of industrial design protection and the enhancement of justice under Annex IV of the Bangui Agreement; they have redefined the very conditions under which design rights can be asserted, challenged, and judicially enforced. As modern creative arts have migrated into virtual spaces, so has infringement become instantaneous and borderless, and as evidence increasingly takes digital form, the Justiciability of industrial design rights stands at a crossroads. This raises questions about the validity of design registrations, cross-border enforcement, and the evidentiary standards for proving infringement, which are central to determining whether a design dispute is suitable for judicial resolution. In response to these concerns, this paper examines the effectiveness of Annex IV in providing justiciable grounds for design owners to bring claims before adjudication bodies. Employing a doctrinal research method, it concludes that the Justiciability of industrial design rights is significantly challenged by technological advancements. This is because it is difficult to identify online infringers, secure digital evidence, and expedite action in cross-border online marketplaces, which allow counterfeiters to reach consumers quickly. It recommends, inter alia, recalibrating Annex IV to include modalities for digital filing, adopting a new substantive approach to examining designs during registration, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, training judicial personnel in forensic evidence, and ensuring legislative alignment with other regional and international standards.

Background: Conventional approaches to sustainable development have been criticized for their technocratic orientation and limited engagement with the knowledge systems embedded in culture. The orientation toward relational well-being, ecological care, and ethical coexistence with nature is the foundation of indigenous epistemologies developed through long-term relationships with the environment. North India alone has thousands of communities with a rich culture of indigenous knowledge that has traditionally underpinned sustainable resource management, but is now marginalized by modern development and conservation policies. The Bhil, Gaddi, Bhotia, and Van Gujjar are only some of them. Objective of the study: To analyze the interrelationship and connection between indigenous epistemology and the concept of sustainable development. Method: The research will be conducted as a meta-analytical study grounded in anthropological and development research. It is based on secondary literature (e.g., ethnographic case studies and policy literature). It uses a comparative framework to examine indigenous knowledge practices, their interactions with formal development projects, and the institutional and ethical contexts that shape these interactions. Findings: The findings indicate that knowledge can be mixed in different ways, including integration, parallel use, adaptation, and co-management. Although these processes lead to synergies, e.g., improved healthcare, enhanced conservation, and community-based governance of ecosystems, they also expose tensions arising from power asymmetries, limited policies, and the loss of intergenerational knowledge. This paper concludes that context-specific, rights-based, and participatory approaches play a pivotal role in achieving culturally grounded, environmentally friendly, sustainable development.