Congenital anomalies of the head and neck derived from the foregut represent a diverse group of developmental disorders involving the branchial apparatus, thyroglossal duct, respiratory and digestive buds, middle and inner ear structures, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands, and upper aerodigestive tract. These anomalies arise from disruptions in foregut partitioning, migration, obliteration, or septation during the third to sixth weeks of gestation. Their clinical spectrum ranges from benign…

The coral reef ecosystem of the Sembilan Archipelago was evaluated through an integrated ecological survey across eight islands. The study integrated benthic surveys using a point intercept transect method with underwater visual census techniques to evaluate coral reef condition, reef fish diversity, and ecosystem health. Findings suggest a fair ecological state of the islands’ reefs, with live coral cover averaging 26.05% and 46 hard coral species recorded. Diversity indices varied among…

Nurses are at the heart of healthcare systems, yet their own health remains inadequately protected. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), particularly lower back, neck, and upper limb pain, are especially common in this profession, which involves patient transfers, awkward postures, repetitive movements, and physically demanding work [1, 2]. Recent international data confirm that MSDs are a global problem among nurses, with significant variations across regions and professional…

Maternal and child health is a crucial indicator of a nation’s overall health status and socio economic development. Despite improvements in healthcare infrastructure, India continues to face challenges related to high maternal and child morbidity and mortality, particularly among rural and economically weaker populations. To address these issues, the Government of India introduced the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) under the National Health Mission.…

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality in Europe despite substantial improvements in prevention and treatment. Persistent inequalities across the continent suggest that cardiovascular mortality may be influenced not only by individual behavioral risk factors, but also by broader structural, socioeconomic, infectious-disease, and psychosocial conditions. This study examined long-term associations between circulatory-system mortality…

Synthetic biology is transforming the field of crop improvement by allowing the precise control of genetic circuits, metabolic pathways, and regulatory networks. Unlike the conventional transgenic approaches, which involve the alteration of single genes, synthetic biology involves the incorporation of multi-gene constructs, synthetic promoters, and programmable regulatory networks to control the physiological processes in crops. For instance, the engineering of photosynthetic genes such as…

This report details the results of four experiments that investigated the effect of physical and chemical techniques on the control of microbial growth, which have been carried out through three laboratory sessions in BIO60002 at Islamia University of Bahawalpur Pakistan. In the first set of experiments (Part 1), moist-heat sterilisation by autoclave, the antimicrobial activity of six disinfectants and antiseptics against Bacillus subtilis, antibiotic sensitivity profile of Staphylococcus…

Unsafe water, unsanitary conditions, or household overcrowding are responsible for a significant number of acute viral hepatitis cases among pregnant women due to the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). The immune modulation, hormonal changes, and reduced hepatic reserve during pregnancy make them more vulnerable to the injury caused by the virus. This academic model study included the prevalence, the demographic pattern, clinical profile, and severity markers of pregnant women with acute hepatitis.…

In June 2026, while clearing old papers from my office, I unexpectedly rediscovered photographs taken on 17 April 2002 during an environmental field sampling at Kampung Pasir Puteh, near Pasir Gudang in the Straits of Johore, Malaysia. The photographs showed a much younger version of myself manually deploying an Ekman grab for surface sediment sampling and participating in the collection of mussels from floating structures. My immediate reaction was humorous: Who is this stupid boy? I hardly…

Benzocaine (0.05 mol, 7.42 g) was decomposed in NaNO2 in the presence of HCl at temperatures ranging from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to produce several novel derivatives of Azo compounds (50 mL). 2-Nitrophenol (80%, 7.5 mL) and compound 1 (0.05 mol, 10.67 g) were heated for two hours at reflux in 50 mL of ethanol. When the procedure was stopped, the mixture had cooled to a normal temperature. Filtered and water was used to clean the precipitate. The ethanol yield solidified. This reaction was…