Chest wall deformation in elderly Bosnian man found to be a result of pulmonary hernia

Air pollution can have negative effects not only on the respiratory system. According to a new global review, prolonged exposure to air containing fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, is associated with an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

The review analyzed thirteen previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses concerning the long-term impact of PM2.5 exposure. It was found that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 exposure, the risk of developing the disease rises by 10% to 16%, raising serious concerns about the broader impact of air pollution on human health.

Anuja Jaiswal, Senior Editorial Assistant at The Times of India, specializes in covering healthcare and heritage topics, possessing 18 years of experience in narrative journalism. She is skilled at presenting complex medical information in an accessible format for readers. During her career, she has gained extensive field experience in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, and Western Uttar Pradesh.

In the city of Hyderabad, the wife made a decision that could have given new life to other people after her husband was declared brain dead. Doctors confirmed the state of 57-year-old ASI E. Narsimhi, a Telangana police employee.

His spouse, Lakshmi, bravely expressed the wish to donate her husband's organs to save the life of someone in need. However, despite the family's desire and consent, medical examination showed that none of the organs were suitable for transplantation, and the donation procedure was not completed.

E. Narsimhi held the position of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Telangana Police Armed Reserve and was attached to the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Sikandrabad. He was originally from Kodur village in Mahabubnagar district and resided in Telangana. According to the State Organization for Organ and Tissue Transplantation of Telangana (SOTTO), Narsimhi's health had been deteriorating for a long time; he was battling acute kidney injury (AKI).

He was undergoing dialysis, which had already been performed four times. On November 3, 2026, Narsimhi developed a high fever accompanied by severe weakness. In a state of high blood pressure, he suddenly lost consciousness and did not regain it. The family rushed him to a private hospital in Hyderabad, where treatment began, but his condition did not improve. Eventually, on November 10, doctors officially declared his brain death.

After the declaration of his condition, Narsimhi's family faced deep grief. Nevertheless, Lakshmi made the decision to consent to organ donation, wishing that his organs could help save someone's life awaiting transplantation. The goal of this initiative was that even in his absence, his organs could give life to another person.

Despite the family's consent, doctors conducted an organ check which revealed that none of Narsimhi's organs were fit for transplantation. Thus, Lakshmi's will and the family's consent did not allow the donation process to be completed.

On the occasion of the tragedy, the Hyderabad police, represented by Commissioner Visi Sadjnar, offered condolences to Narsimhi's family. He highly praised the family's decision on his personal social media account on X, noting that the family maintained humanity even in a moment of personal sorrow. In the commissioner's opinion, his action sends an important signal to society that donation can be a means of giving new life to those in need.

When Sinovuyo Mkhula was undertaking volunteer practice on the hospital ship Peace Ark in South Africa, her goal was to assist patients and gain knowledge from Chinese doctors. This experience inspired her to travel to China.

Mkhula is now studying a master's program in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shanghai University. With the support of the doctors she met on the ship, she is turning her early interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into practical experience, aiming to improve the healthcare system in South Africa in the long term.

Sinovuyo Mkhula shared her impressions: 'My experience on Peace Ark ignited something in me. I think it's the beginning of everything. If I hadn't gotten on the ship, I might not have had this experience in China with such amazing doctors.'

From Volunteer to International Student

When Peace Ark arrived in Cape Town in August 2024, Mkhula joined the medical team as a volunteer. Chinese doctors treated local patients and exchanged experiences with South African Armed Forces medical specialists. As a translator, Mkhula was able to see their work firsthand and learn methodologies that she had not studied during her undergraduate studies.

One of the doctors aboard, Xu Jingyu, recalled her enthusiasm. He noted that Mkhula was very interested in studying acupuncture, medical equipment, and other TCM methods.

For Mkhula, studying in Shanghai provided a different perspective on this discipline, one that went beyond textbooks. She explained that during her undergraduate studies, she viewed the subject through a 'South African lens,' whereas now, while pursuing a master's degree, she is studying TCM through a 'Chinese lens.'

The training with the doctors she met at sea continued in Shanghai. There, Xu and his wife Zhang Xuan welcomed Mkhula to the TCM rehabilitation center at No. 905 Hospital of the Naval Medical University. Zhang, who is also a TCM doctor and participant in Peace Ark overseas missions, introduced Mkhula to clinical practices. Under supervision, the student was able to try performing acupuncture on a patient suffering from mobility issues.

Mkhula hopes to deepen her knowledge of Chinese medicinal herbs, although she admits that specialized terminology remains a challenging task. The medical couple advised her to study Chinese culture alongside medicine, as they believe these two aspects are closely related.

A Mission Beyond the Ship

Although Peace Ark helped Mkhula connect with Chinese doctors, the ship itself holds personal significance for Xu and Zhang. Zhang participated in missions in 2018 and 2023, and Xu joined the 2024 mission. After returning, Xu and Zhang compared their routes on a world map.

Zhang recalled: 'We were very happy. We considered it an honor for the whole family. TCM is not just a popular traditional form of medicine in China; it is also a calling card for China abroad.'

Studying in China allowed Mkhula to meet students from all over the world and provided her opportunities to exchange knowledge with people studying TCM in their home countries. She noted: 'I am truly amazed at how China has managed to standardize traditional medicine.'