Author: Eric Mawuli DJIRACKOR

As bitcoin soars, luxury brands consider accepting crypto payments  Yahoo Finance
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Payal Kapadia’s remarkable feature debut charts the daily lives of three women in Mumbai in a beautifully shot ode to the city and to the power of human connections
More on the best culture of 2024
“Evening is my favourite time of the day,” says a character in All We Imagine As Light, as twilight descends on Mumbai – it’s when the city comes alive. In the film-maker Payal Kapadia’s feature debut, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes, night-time in the city is shown in loving detail, as we see markets, fluorescently lit shops and trains full of women returning from work. Vermeer is famously said to have “painted with light”. The same principle seems to animate every frame of Kapadia’s film, as light delicately bounces around the screen, indicating the film’s interest in illuminating moments of hope as untold secrets lie in the shadows. On two occasions, a phone torch cuts through the dark to reveal words – in a notebook, on a cave wall – professing great love that feels otherwise impossible to say.
The film follows Prabha, Anu and Parvaty, who work as nurses and cooks at a hospital. The sensible Prabha (Kani Kusruti) is being courted by a doctor. She likes him, but she’s married. Though she is estranged from her husband, Prabha feels pressured to remain a loyal wife. Her roommate, the free-spirited Anu (Divya Prabha), is secretly seeing a Muslim man, and their love affair is as tender as it is aware of the politics undermining their match. Would her father approve, he asks, “if I used a Hindi name”? The two women are also helping Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), who is being evicted from her home by developers. A banner across her building shows a city on the march to gentrification: “Class,” it announces, “is a privilege reserved for the privileged!”
All three stories are concerned with the ways in which politics shapes individual lives, which is a longstanding interest of Kapadia’s – her first film, A Night of Knowing Nothing, is a documentary exploring the 2015 student protests against Narendra Modi’s appointment of political sympathiser as a university chair (Kapadia was also a leading figure in the protests). In All We Imagine As Light, each woman’s personal circumstances are depicted with humanity and subtlety, and the film also gives a sense that they’re not alone. One night, Prabha talks to Anu about her failed marriage. As she talks wistfully of the past, the camera surveys the tower blocks of Mumbai, with some apartments still dotted with light. Listening to Prabha’s monologue against this wide open vista, one begins to wonder: how many other women are out there with the same thwarted desires, the same pain? At a time when political forces all across the world are performing acts of closure – narrowing our understanding of who we can call neighbours, fellow citizens, lovers – All We Imagine As Light looks out into the world with roving empathy and curiosity, finding in it moments of intimacy and connection, and plenty to love.

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International Journal of Emergency Medicine volume 17, Article number: 189 (2024) Cite this article
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Chenopodium album, commonly known as “lambsquarters,” is a plant consumed as food and used in traditional medicine. Its popularity is increasing due to the belief that it has fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs. However, its use can lead to acute or chronic poisoning. The growing interest in herbal remedies, along with uncontrolled usage and disregard for expert recommendations, contributes to adverse effects.
: A 68-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and flank pain following the use of lambsquarters. Impaired kidney function was detected in the patient. A biopsy performed after Chenopodium album usage led to the diagnosis of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN). The patient responded positively to corticosteroid and hemodialysis treatment.
Caution is necessary in the use of herbal medicines and traditional treatments. A thorough evaluation of factors such as patients’ nutritional status, herbal product usage, medication history, and genetic background is crucial. Chenopodium album can cause tubulointerstitial nephritis, resulting in kidney damage. Similarly, heavy metal poisoning through herbal products can lead to kidney damage. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and treatment process can contribute to better patient management.
This case presents a rare instance of tubulointerstitial nephritis developed due to the use of herbal products. Physicians should inquire about patients’ history of exogenous substance use and conduct a comprehensive assessment, keeping such situations in mind. Conscious use of herbal medicines and traditional treatments can help prevent serious complications like kidney damage.
Chenopodium album, also known colloquially as “lambsquarters” (Fig. 1), is a plant widely consumed as food in many cultures and utilized in certain traditional medical practices. This herbal food has been gaining popularity, attributed to the belief that herbal medicines have fewer side effects compared to synthetic drugs [1]. However, its use can significantly contribute to incidents of acute or chronic poisoning. Poison control centers admit over 100,000 patients exposed to toxic plants, with the majority involving minor toxicities related to the ingestion of medicinal plants in small quantities. In most severe poisoning cases, individuals consume a toxic plant either accidentally or with the intention of utilizing its therapeutic properties [2]. In recent years, the increasing interest in herbal remedies, uncontrolled usage of herbal products, and the disregard for recommendations from healthcare professionals prior to use have exacerbated the negative effects associated with these products [3]. An estimated one-third of adults in developed countries and over 80% of the population in many low- and middle-income countries use herbal and traditional medicines to enhance health or treat common illnesses. Herbal medicines can lead to kidney damage due to toxicity, contamination, misidentification, mislabeling, and adverse plant-drug interactions. The kidneys are particularly sensitive to toxic damage due to their high blood flow, extensive endothelial surface area, high metabolic activity, active uptake by tubular cells, medullary interstitial concentration, and low urine pH. Kidney damage can manifest as nephrolithiasis, chronic interstitial fibrosis, uroepithelial cancer, crystalluria, or hypertension, with some plants increasing potassium levels in those with kidney damage. The regulation of herbal and traditional medicines by global health organizations is critical to reduce the risk of acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease associated with plant consumption. Nephrologists should be aware of potential nephrotoxicity arising from herbal medicines and supplements [4]. Additionally, some studies indicate that patients using alternative medicines may experience complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI) due to heavy metal poisoning. Defining the use of traditional herbal medicines as a source of toxicity can be challenging [5]. Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is a condition that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a common cause of kidney damage. TIN progresses to fibrosis in the renal interstitium through immune-mediated inflammation by inflammatory cells. Patients may present with nonspecific symptoms, and delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease can occur if not suspected. Etiologically, drugs, infectious agents, toxins, idiopathic causes, genetic factors, inflammatory bowel disease, or systemic inflammatory conditions associated with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) may lead to TIN. Clinical suspicion for TIN is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment depends on the underlying etiology, with corticosteroids forming the cornerstone of therapy [6]. In this case, a patient who used Chenopodium album for weight loss and experienced impaired kidney function was diagnosed with ATIN following a kidney biopsy. The patient benefited from corticosteroid and hemodialysis treatment. A literature review revealed that this is the first reported case of ATIN following the use of Chenopodium album.
Coltsfoot (Chenopodium album) is widely used in alternative medicine
A 68-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and flank pain. She reported a history of using lambsquarters for weight loss for seven consecutive days two weeks prior. The patient had no chronic diseases except for diabetes mellitus and was taking metformin 500 mg/day. Upon admission, her vital signs were stable (temperature: 36.2 °C, blood pressure: 129/71 mm Hg, respiratory rate: 18/min, pulse rate: 88/min), and physical examination revealed findings such as arthralgia, edema, and rash. Laboratory investigations showed elevated serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) at 40.4 mg/dL, creatinine at 2.84 mg/dL, and potassium at 6.1 meq/L. The complete urine analysis indicated leukocytes, leukocyte casts, and erythrocytes (Table 1), (Fig. 2). Two months ago, the serum creatinine was 0.82 mg/dL, and a renal ultrasound showed no abnormalities except for a grade 2 increase in bilateral parenchymal echoes. The patient was admitted to the nephrology clinic for further investigation of the etiology of acute kidney failure and initiation of treatment. On the first day of follow-up, despite medical treatment, hemodialysis was initiated due to persistently high potassium levels (Fig. 3). Following hemodialysis, a kidney biopsy was planned, performed, and pathology consultation was sought. The light microscopy of the kidney biopsy, evaluated with four glomeruli, revealed sclerosis in two glomeruli, thickening of the Bowman capsule in one glomerulus, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration with dense eosinophils in the interstitium. Immunofluorescence showed no deposits (Fig. 3). Given the clinical indications of tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), corticosteroid therapy at a dose of 80 mg/day was initiated (Fig. 4). The patient’s metformin, used for diabetes, was discontinued, and insulin therapy was initiated. The patient underwent hemodialysis on the 2nd and 4th days of follow-up, continuing the same dose of steroid therapy. On the fifth day, evaluation revealed a decrease in creatinine levels to 2.33 mg/dL and a reduction in nausea and vomiting symptoms (Fig. 4), (Table 1). The temporary hemodialysis catheter was removed after hemodialysis, and steroid therapy continued at a dose of 64 mg/day. On the 11th day of follow-up, with no remaining complaints, the steroid dose was reduced by 16 mg to 48 mg/day. Linagliptin was initiated for diabetes regulation, and the patient was discharged for outpatient follow-up. Upon returning for a checkup five days later, her creatinine levels had returned to baseline at 0.89 mg/dL (Table 1). Steroid dosage was gradually reduced during follow-ups and discontinued over four weeks.
Leukocytes, leukocyte casts, and clusters of erythrocytes in urine sediment under the light microscope
Renal function and treatment course. HD: Hemodialysis
Black arrows indicate crystals in renal tubules, while blue arrows demonstrate hemosiderin accumulation in renal tubule epithelium under light microscopy. (H&E, × 200)
We presented in detail a case of AIN that emerged in a patient who consumed Chenopodium album for one week. To the best of our knowledge, this report represents the first such case in the literature. There are many cases of kidney failure in the clinical setting with unexplained etiology. This case emphasizes the importance of careful use of medications, including herbal medicines and traditional treatments. It highlights the necessity for healthcare professionals to obtain a comprehensive history, including factors such as nutritional status, herbal product usage, medication history, and genetic background, to understand the patient’s condition better. Moreover, it underscores the need for further research on the side effects of herbal products.
Chenopodium album is known to be consumed in various regions of the world, believed to have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride according to animal experiments [7,8,9]. However, there is insufficient research on its side effects, interactions with drugs, and the potential for contamination with heavy metals.
AIN is usually confirmed when histological findings such as interstitial inflammation, edema, and tubulitis accompany acute kidney injury (AKI). The etiology of AIN is diverse, with known causes including drugs, various infections, autoimmune or systemic diseases, and idiopathic conditions. Several studies have shown that drugs are the most common etiology of AIN. Furthermore, AIN reported after the intake of herbal medicines has been documented [10]. In our case, the presence of findings such as tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration with dense eosinophils in the interstitium led to the diagnosis of AIN (Fig. 3).
The pathogenesis of AIN typically involves allergic reactions triggered by exposure to a specific drug. T-cell-mediated hypersensitivity reactions and cytotoxic T-cell injuries play a role in the pathogenesis of AIN [11]. The exact disease mechanism leading to AIN caused by Chenopodium album is not clear based on the current data. Additionally, the kidneys are a sensitive organ to heavy metal poisoning, which can occur due to both acute and chronic exposure. Heavy metals taken into the body can lead to kidney lesions such as acute tubular necrosis, cortical necrosis, and interstitial nephritis. Exposure to heavy metals, both acutely and chronically, can cause tubulointerstitial injuries without any marked morphological changes, and these can manifest within days after exposure to the toxic substance. Heavy metal exposure constitutes a significant yet inadequately understood cause of kidney damage. The pathology findings, including crystals seen in the tubules, suggest this possibility. However, the absence of symptoms commonly observed in heavy metal poisoning cases, such as encephalopathy, seizures, mental status changes, papilledema, ataxia, and abdominal pain, makes this diagnosis challenging [12, 13].
The cornerstone of AIN treatment is discontinuation of the suspected nephrotoxic agent. There is a general consensus that when there is no evidence of improvement in kidney function after 5–7 days following the discontinuation of the suspected toxin, treatment, especially with steroids initiated promptly, may be beneficial. The rationale for this approach is that early corticosteroids may reduce the inflammatory infiltration of the renal interstitium and thereby prevent later fibrosis risk [11, 14]. In our case, a thorough evaluation of history, physical examination, laboratory, and pathological findings led to the initiation of steroid therapy, combined with hemodialysis due to electrolyte disturbances, acidosis, and uremic symptoms, resulting in a positive outcome.
In conclusion, we aimed to provide a multidisciplinary perspective on the diagnosis and management of AIN following the use of herbal products through this case. Physicians should inquire about the history of exogenous substance use and conduct a comprehensive assessment, keeping such situations in mind. Conscious use of herbal medicines and traditional treatments can help prevent serious complications like kidney damage.
No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
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Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
Alparslan Demiray
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
Sevil Demiray & Hülya Akgün
Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
Tuğba Yılmaz & İsmail Koçyiğit
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Author Contributions: Alparslan Demiray (A.D.): Designed the manuscript, followed the patient, and wrote the article. Tugba Yılmaz (T.Y.): Conducted the literature review and contributed to the writing of the article. Ismail Koçyiğit (İ.K.): Contributed to the conceptualization of the article, patient follow-up, and provided assistance in ensuring the academic strength of the manuscript. Pathological evaluation was performed by Sevil Demiray (S.D.) and Hülya Akgün (H.A.). H.A. conducted the examination of the kidney biopsy, and S.D. made significant contributions to this examination process, contributing significantly to the academic richness of the article.
Correspondence to Alparslan Demiray.
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Demiray, A., Yılmaz, T., Demiray, S. et al. A case of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis following the use of chenopodium album L. Int J Emerg Med 17, 189 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00790-3
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Published: 18 December 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00790-3
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How to keep your pets safe from snow salts  WSBT-TV
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December 18, 2024 07:15 ET  | Source: BCC Research LLC BCC Research LLC
Boston, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to the latest study from BCC Research the “Global Market for Medical Device Technologies” is expected to grow from $810.4 billion in 2024 to $1.3 trillion by the end of 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2024 through 2029.
This report is relevant due to the rapid advances in technology and the integration of AI in medical devices. As healthcare systems worldwide continue to evolve post-pandemic, the demand for innovative, technology-oriented devices has surged, prompting the need for examine market trends and developments. This report covers not only the current landscape but also anticipates future shifts in this dynamic market.
The report analyzes the medical device technology market, focusing on trends and market estimate through 2029. It evaluates the positioning of the major players and their product portfolios while assessing regulatory scenarios and emerging technologies. The market is segmented by device type, including drug delivery devices, in vitro diagnostics (IVD), urology and renal devices, orthopedics and spine, imaging devices, cardiovascular devices, and endoscopy. Imaging devices encompass X-rays, ultrasound and computed tomography. IVDs are categorized into immunochemistry, clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics. The report also segments the market by end-users, such as hospitals, home healthcare, and diagnostic centers, while providing analysis of the markets North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World, with specific focus on the U.S., Germany, the U.K. and Japan.
Click here for more details on the “Global Market for Medical Devices” report.
The following factors are driving the global market for medical devices:
Aging Population: More elderly people means a higher demand for devices to diagnose and manage age-related health issues.
AI Integration: AI enhances diagnostic accuracy and speeds up data analysis.
Chronic Diseases: Increasing cases of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease drive the need for advanced monitoring and treatment devices.
Public Health Improvement: Better healthcare infrastructure and access boost the demand for essential medical tools.
Enhanced Diagnosis: Technological advances make diagnostic devices more precise, faster, and less invasive.
Patient Education: Informed patients seek out the best medical technologies for managing their health.
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Interesting facts:
The report addresses the following questions:
Leading companies in the market include:
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Infusion Pumps and Devices: Technologies and Global Markets: This report provides insights into the infusion pump market, including market projections through 2029 and the market shares of key players. It analyzes the market by products, applications, and end users. Infusion pumps are categorized into general-purpose types, such as large-volume, syringe, electronic ambulatory, and elastomeric pumps, as well as specialty types, including insulin, patient-controlled analgesia, enteral, and implantable pumps.
3D Printing Medical Devices: Global Markets: This report analyzes trends in the global market for 3D printing medical devices. The report highlights emerging technologies and the competitive landscape, providing profiles of the major companies.
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Does “Pix or it didn’t happen” apply to traveling to the edge of space on a balloon-lofted solar observatory? Yes, it absolutely does.
The breathtaking views on this page come courtesy of IRIS-2, a compact imaging package that creators [Ramón García], [Miguel Angel Gomez], [David Mayo], and [Aitor Conde] recently decided to release as open source hardware. It rode to the edge of space aboard Sunrise III, a balloon-borne solar observatory designed to study solar magnetic fields and atmospheric plasma flows.

To do that the observatory needed a continual view of the Sun over an extended period, so the platform was launched from northern Sweden during the summer of 2024. It rose to 37 km (23 miles) and stayed aloft in the stratosphere tracking the never-setting Sun for six and a half days before landing safely in Canada.
Strictly speaking, IRIS-2 wasn’t part of the primary mission, at least in terms of gathering solar data. Rather, the 5 kg (11 pound) package was designed to provide engineering data about the platform, along with hella cool video of the flight. To that end, it was fitted with four GoPro cameras controlled by an MPS340 microcontroller. The cameras point in different directions to capture all the important action on the platform, like the main telescope slewing to track the sun, as well as details of the balloon system itself.
The controller was programmed to record 4K video at 30 frames per second during launch and landing, plus fifteen minutes of 120 FPS video during the balloon release. The rest of the time, the cameras took a single frame every two minutes, which resulted in some wonderful time-lapse sequences. The whole thing was powered by 56 AA batteries, and judging by the video below it performed flawlessly during the flight, despite the penetrating stratospheric cold and blistering UV exposure.
Hats off to the IRIS-2 team for this accomplishment. Sure, the videos are a delight, but this is more than just eye candy. Seeing how the observatory and balloon platform performed during flight provides valuable engineering data that will no doubt improve future flights.
Continue reading Catching The View From The Edge Of Space – Hackaday

$420 Million in Crypto Liquidation as Bitcoin (BTC) Price Falls  Coinspeaker
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Global Payments price target raised to $135 from $120 at Barclays  Yahoo Finance
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VIRAL videos claiming thieves can steal iPhone owners' card details through AirDrop are running rampant online – but none of them are telling the truth.
False claims of a new bank-raiding scam targeting iPhone owners have spread like wildfire on social media platform TikTok.
The videos claim that “Apple Pay users with AirDrop toggled on are rendering themselves susceptible to financial identity theft," Daily Dot first reported.
The theory is that if this setting is switched on, then a stranger in the street could initiate a walk-by tap-attack to transfer your card data to their phone.
But it's not true, or even possible.
While the AirDrop feature can be toggled on for days at a time, it only really works with nearby devices for 10minutes at a time.
Any longer than that and it is limited to your contacts.
The cards inside your Apple Wallet or Apple Pay are also not shareable.
That data is locked down, and cannot be shared or transferred.
Apple Pay is more secure than your real wallet, according to Apple, because it doesn't store or have access to the original card or card numbers.
Instead, when you add a card to your Apple Wallet, your bank sends Apple a unique device account number and encrypts it – meaning that code is scrambled for everyone, including Apple.
“The Device Account Number in the Secure Element is isolated from iOS, is never stored on Apple servers, and is never backed up to iCloud," Apple says in a support page.
In terms of your Apple Wallet, then “iCloud secures your Wallet data — like passes and transaction information — by encrypting it when it's sent over the Internet and storing it in an encrypted format when it's kept on Apple’s servers," according to Apple.
While there have been other scams and crimes associated with AirDrop, such as phishing attempts and cyberflashing, your financial details cannot be transferred directly.
The false story is thought to date back to the release of the NameDrop feature in 2023, Daily Dot reported.
This is a proximity data transfer feature for contact cards only.
Yet, TikTok users have created their own narrative on what AirDrop is capable of, which has snowballed across the platform.
It comes as the US seeks to ban TikTok over the security of data and its links to China's government.
US lawmakers from both political parties have supported a law that would ban the platform for all 170million US users unless TikTok is sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
While TikTok has tried to appeal the law, calling it "unconstitutional", a US court rejected the attempt earlier this month.
On Monday, the app, and ByteDance, asked the US Supreme Court to intervene and stop the nationwide ban.
“The Act will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," TikTok wrote in its filing.

"This, in turn, will silence the speech of Applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern,"
The ban could come into effect on 19 January, 2025, unless ByteDance sells TikTok by that date.
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