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A study was conducted during October, 2022 to June, 2023 at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India to evaluate the thermal performance and melting behaviour and the effect of different container materials on energy storage efficiency of phase change materials (PCMs). Paraffin wax, Beeswax and Palm oil was selected for this study and for the container material stainless steel (SS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was selected. The results indicated that PET containers, although slower to heat (100 min), provide a prolonged cooling period (240 min), making them ideal for applications that require delayed heat release. Among the PCMs, Paraffin wax, with a melting temperature of 59.3°C and a melting time of 36 min, was found to be the most suitable for solar thermal applications. Beeswax, while viable, had a higher melting temperature (68.1°C) and a longer melting time (48 min). Palm oil, with a melting temperature of 43°C, was deemed unsuitable. Image analysis confirmed these findings, showing that palm oil had the highest reduction rate in area and perimeter, while all three PCMs displayed favourable roundness values. Based on the results, Paraffin wax in PET containers was identified as the optimal combination for efficient solar energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is an important physiological process that is essential for human beings because it maintains the circadian rhythm appropriately. The sleep behavior in the older population of India has not been studied adequately. Further, there is no report on the sleep behavior of the elderly population of Odisha, India. Therefore, this study has been designed to examine the status of sleep quality in the elderly living in rural areas of the Sambalpur district of western Odisha, India. This study includes1992 elderly subjects above the age of 60 years (945 females and 1047 males) who participated voluntarily. Data collection was done using a socio-demographic form and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) inventory to determine the sleep quality and related factors that might alter the quality of sleep. The prevalence rate of sleep quality was assessed for both groups and the independence of attributes was tested statistically using the Chi-square test with ap-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Of the 1992 elderly participants, 1384 (69.5%) showed good sleep quality, and 608 (30.5%) had poor sleep quality. The factors, "female gender, marital status such as married" and "drinking habits of alcohol" are the statistically significant associations with good sleep quality among the elderly participants. The overall prevalence of good-quality sleep was high among the elderly participants living in rural areas of the Sambalpur district of western Odisha. These results might serve as a baseline database for future research endeavors. Further, a longitudinal study that has been planned might help in identifying the underlying factors that sustain good-quality sleep in a majority of the studied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review delves into the advancements in optoelectronic logic gate (OELG) devices, emphasizing their transformative potential in computational technology through the integration of optical and electronic components. OELGs present significant advantages over traditional electronic logic gates, including enhanced processing speed, bandwidth, and energy efficiency. The evolution of OELG architectures from single‐device, single‐logic systems to more sophisticated multidevice, multilogic, and reconfigurable OELGs is comprehensively explored. Key advancements include the development of materials and device structures enabling multifunctional logic operations and the incorporation of in‐memory functionalities, critical for applications in high‐performance computing and real‐time data processing. This review also addresses the challenges that need to be overcome, such as stability, durability, integration with existing semiconductor technologies, and efficiency. By summarizing current research and proposing future directions, this review aims to guide the ongoing development of next‐generation optoelectronic architectures, poised to redefine the landscape of optical computing, communication, and data processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to devise a novel fermentation unit for yogurt production utilizing phase change materials (PCM) and primarily powered by solar energy. The unit comprises a solar flat plate collector (FPC), PCM cells, and a fermentation cabinet equipped with trays. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) cylindrical cells were employed to contain paraffin wax for thermal energy storage. The performance of the integrated solar system for the fermentation process was assessed across different air velocities (1.2 to 1.8 m/s), with the most rapid temperature rise observed at 1.8 m/s. The PCM-based thermal storage exhibited an impressive capability of releasing heat autonomously for 6 hours without sunlight, eliminating the need for external energy sources. PCM's capacity to store and release thermal energy ensures fermentation stability, even without solar radiation. This innovative approach offers a compelling environmentally friendly solution with significant implications for sustainable yogurt production, paving the way for industrial integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap is reliable in resurfacing defects of the popliteal fossa. There is possibility of resurfacing the popliteal fossa defects after postburn contracture release with scarred MSAP flaps with good overall long-term outcomes. Materials and Methods A study was conducted from June 2017 to July 2023 to evaluate the functional and surgical scar aesthetic outcome in patients with soft-tissue defects in the popliteal fossa after postburn contracture release that were reconstructed using scarred and unscarred MSAP flap with 10 patients in each group. Results The clinical outcome was assessed in terms of the perioperative and late postoperative complications, range of motion of the knee joint along with surgical scar outcome using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). The functional results in the scar tissue flap group were comparable with those in the normal tissue flap group, but the aesthetic outcome of surgical scar was found to be better in the normal tissue flap group. Conclusion The MSAP flap provides ideal tissue for soft-tissue reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity for popliteal fossa defects after postburn contracture release in both the scarred and unscarred flap groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is the underlying cause of mortality and morbidity. In Tamil Nadu, South India, alcohol is available through government-regulated outlets, and during the lockdown, there was a ban on the sale of alcohol. This study was designed to explore the change in drinking pattern among known alcohol dependants as well as family and communities' response to the change. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with quantitative data collection followed by in-depth interviews with alcohol dependants and their spouses and focus group discussions with family members and community leaders. Results: We found a significant change in abstinence from drinking among 68% surveyed. Coping mechanism most often used was distraction and involving self in household chores. Most spouses reported that the decreased access to alcohol improved family life during the lockdown. Leaders expressed poor societal ownership of alcoholism as a problem. And once the restrictions were lifted, a rebound phenomenon was observed. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of positive change in improved family life and decreased violence owing to the decrease in alcohol consumption. The community's inability to support reforming alcoholics is an important finding of the study. We recommend interventions to support them and also policies to restrict alcohol access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy scenarios require realistic estimates of technical wind energy potentials – estimates for how much electricity can be generated by wind turbines given a certain level of deployed capacity within a region. These are typically obtained using observed wind speeds, neglecting the depletion of the wind energy resource with increasing deployment at the regional scale. Here, we use the kinetic energy budget of the atmosphere (KEBA) approach to evaluate the importance of this resource depletion effect for the technical potential of Kansas, USA. To do so, we first apply the KEBA approach to a previously conducted set of numerical simulations with the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model. This set simulated the resource depletion effect for a range of different levels of wind turbine deployments within Kansas, which we use to test the KEBA approach. We specifically test the approach for nighttime and daytime conditions to capture the different mixing regimes of the atmospheric boundary layer. We find that KEBA can adequately capture the effect for both settings. We then extend our analysis by using ERA-5 forcing to the climatological scale. We find that this resource depletion effect increases almost linearly with the level of wind turbine deployment. Compared to previously published estimates for the technical potential for Kansas, the resource depletion effect lowers capacity factors by a third to a half. Since this resource depletion effect increases with installed capacity within a region, it is policy relevant even at relatively low deployment levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare subepidermal autoimmune blistering disorder. The clinical and demographic parameters of this disease in Indian patients have not yet been elucidated in detail. Objective We aimed to study the clinical and demographic characteristics, disease course, and treatment aspects of MMP patients. Methods The data for this study were obtained by reviewing the case record forms of patients registered in the Autoimmune Bullous Disease (AIBD) Clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, a tertiary care centre in India. The diagnosis of MMP was established on the basis of clinical and immune-histopathological features which are consistent with standard diagnostic criteria for the disease. Results A total of 52 patients with MMP registered in the AIBD clinic were included. The mean age at disease onset was 50 years and the average age at presentation was 56 years. Females outnumbered males in the study with a ratio of 1.36:1. The oral and ocular mucosae were the most commonly affected sites (82.6% and 63.4% respectively). Visual difficulty was reported by half the patients (26 of 52 patients). IgG, C3, and IgA deposits were detected on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) in 29, 21, and 11 patients, respectively. Serologic analysis was performed in only 7 of the patients and of these, just 1 exhibited a positive result on multivariant ELISA and epidermal pattern of binding on salt split skin indirect immunofluorescence. Most patients were treated with prednisolone (44 of 52). Steroid-sparing adjuvants were used in combination including cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, dapsone, and colchicine. Rituximab was administered in 7 patients with severe or refractory disease. Limitations This is a retrospective analysis of data available from a clinic registry. In patients with negative direct immunofluorescence on biopsy, the diagnosis was based on clinico-pathologic consensus. Conclusion MMP is not as uncommon in India as the paucity of reports suggest. Visual complications are frequent in Indian MMP patients. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent ocular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) accounts for the highest burden of curable, non-viral sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Prevalence in India ranges from 0.4 to 27.4% in women and 0.0-5.6% in men. In 2015, the prevalence of TV among pregnant women of rural Vellore was 3.11% using Sekisui OSOM® Trichomonas test and culture methods. Molecular methods are the most sensitive, rapid diagnostic tool for Sexually Transmitted Infection's (STI) albeit cost hinders implementation of commercial platforms. To determine a sensitive, sustainable molecular method, we compared three targets (Adhesin AP65, cytoskeleton Beta-tubulin BTUB 9/2 and TVK 3/7) with the highest published diagnostic accuracy against microscopy, culture and Real Time PCR (RT- PCR). Materials & methods: Six-hundred adult, sexually active women attending the Obstetrics-Gynaecology rural out-patient clinic the Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA) from July 2020 - February 2021 were enrolled. A vaginal lateral and posterior fornix specimen was inoculated, onsite, into Biomed InPouch® TV culture and smeared onto a slide for fluorescence microscopy using Acridine orange. A flocked nylon swab specimen for PCR was used to determine the sensitivities of the Adhesin AP65, cytoskeleton Beta-tubulin BTUB 9/2 and TVK 3/7 gene targets. Seegene Allplex™ STI Essential Assay, S.Korea was used to confirm TV positives. Results: Nine specimens (9/600, 1.5%) were positive for TV. There was a 100% correlation between Biomed InPouch TV® culture, PCR with TVK 3/7 and RT-PCR while a correlation of 66.6% with BTUB 9/2 and AP65 gene targets. Clinically, 77.7% (n = 7) presented with white-greenish discharge per vagina, 11% (n = 1) with infertility, 22.2% (n = 2) were asymptomatic. Eight of nine patients (88.9%) had co-infections with other bacterial STIs. Prevalence of TV coinfection with Neisseria gonorrhoea was 1.1%. Conclusion: Current hospital-based prevalence of TV in rural Vellore was 1.5%. Repetitive DNA target TVK 3/7 was more sensitive than AP65 and BTUB 9/2 primers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with loss of function signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-related Hyper IgE Syndrome (LOF STAT3 HIES) present with recurrent staphylococcal skin and pulmonary infections along with the elevated serum IgE levels, eczematous rashes, and skeletal and facial abnormalities. Defective STAT3 signaling results in reduced Th17 cells and an impaired IL-17/IL-22 response primarily due to a compromised canonical Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK–STAT) pathway that involves STAT3 phosphorylation, dimerization, nuclear translocation, and gene transcription. The non-canonical pathway involving unphosphorylated STAT3 and its role in disease pathogenesis, however, is unexplored in HIES. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the role of unphosphorylated STAT3–unphosphorylated NF-kB (uSTAT3–uNF-kB) activation pathway in LOF STAT3 HIES patients. Methodology: The mRNA expression of downstream molecules of unphosphorylated STAT3–unphosphorylated NF-kB pathway was studied in five LOF STAT3 HIES patients and transfected STAT3 mutants post-IL-6 stimulation. Immunoprecipitation assays were performed to assess the binding of STAT3 and NF-kB to RANTES promoter. Results: A reduced expression of the downstream signaling molecules of the uSTAT3–uNF-kB complex pathway, viz., RANTES, STAT3, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM1, IL-8, ZFP36L2, CSF1, MRAS, and SOCS3, in LOF STAT3 HIES patients as well as the different STAT3 mutant plasmids was observed. Immunoprecipitation studies showed a reduced interaction of STAT3 and NF-kB to RANTES in HIES patients. Conclusion: The reduced expression of downstream signaling molecules, specially RANTES and STAT3, confirmed the impaired uSTAT3–uNF-kB pathway in STAT3 LOF HIES. Decreased levels of RANTES and STAT3 could be a significant component in the disease pathogenesis of Hyper IgE Syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P, India, during the Kharif season of 2023. The experiment was replicated three times according to a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments. Three different concentrations of phosphorus (40, 50, and 60 kg/ha) and micronutrients (0.5% FeSO4, 0.5% ZnSO4, and 0.2% Borax) were administered as a topical spray to the leaves. A control group was treated with a mixture of 20:60:40 kg N:P:K/ha. Phosphorus application at a rate of 60 kg/ha and foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 0.5% (treatment 8) resulted in the highest plant dry weight of 35.54 g, crop growth rate of 25.14 g/m²/day, number of pods per plant of 21.50, number of kernels per pod of 2.13, highest test weight of 365.33 g, seed yield of 3552.10 kg/ha, and B:C ratio of 2.43. The effect of applying a higher quantity of phosphorus, specifically 60 kg/ha, together with a foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 0.5%, on the growth and yield of groundnut was found to be superior compared to the control treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental field study was carried out in the Kharif season of 2023 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The experimental replications were conducted using a Randomized Block Design, with three levels of Nitrogen (0, 60, 90kg N/ha) and A zolla spp. (2, 4, 6t/ha), and one Control (NPK 120:60:60 kg/ha). In all, there were a total of ten treatments, each reproduced three times. The tested field had sandy loam soil texture with a neutral soil pH of 7.6, low organic carbon content of 0.372%, nitrogen content of 278.4 kg/ha, phosphorous content of 29.5 kg/ha, and potassium level of 217.3 kg/ha. The experimental results showed that treatment T9 obtained significantly higher plant height (107.77 cm), dry weight (66.05 g), crop growth rate (57.27 g/m²/day), relative growth rate (0.0279 g/g/day), highest number of tillers per hill (22.07), panicles per m² (282), test weight (15.23 g), grain yield (3.67 t/ha), stover yield (6.7 t/ha), and harvest index (35.74%). Transplanted Black Rice of variety BPT-2841 exhibited significantly greater maximum gross return (1,80,551.40 INR/ha), net return (1,05,496.30 INR/ha), and B:C ratio (1.41) in treatment T9. The investigation concludes that Nitrogen, being easily transportable in soil and plants, is a constituent of amino acids, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, enzymes, and hormones. These factors are essential in plant physiology and are associated with increased tillering, biomass production, protein synthesis, grain filling, yield, and quality. The availability, absorption, and utilization of nitrogen have a significant impact on these processes. Therefore, in the present experiment, the nitrogen requirements are met by applying 90kg of nitrogen through urea combined with 6t/ha of A zolla spp. This approach revealed superior performance in terms of both crop yield and economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter, published in the Archives of Dermatological Research, discusses a pilot study that aimed to explore the role of low-density neutrophils (LDNs) in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin disease. The study found that HS patients had a significantly higher frequency of circulating LDNs compared to healthy controls. Additionally, LDNs in HS patients showed an activated phenotype and increased antigen presenting capacity. The study also found that LDNs with an activated phenotype were more prevalent in smoking and obese patients. The authors suggest that LDNs may play a role in the pathophysiology of HS and call for further research to explore their influence on clinical parameters. [Extracted from the article]

Chalcidid wasps are a diverse group of insects belonging to the order Hymenoptera and family Chalcididae. They are natural biocontrol agents for many agricultural and forestry pests. The present study was undertaken from 2021 to 2023. The objective of this study was to document the Chalcididae diversity from the Chhattisgarh region. Based on this study, the first checklist of chalcidid wasps from Chhattisgarh state is prepared. In total, 71 species of chalcidid wasps were collected from 11 genera falling under four subfamilies. The chalcidid wasps identified belonged to the subfamilies, Chalcidinae, Dirhininae, Epitraninae and Haltichellinae of which, subfamily Haltichellinae was found to be most predominant. The results of this preliminary study shed light on the hidden biodiversity of chalcidid wasps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its correlation with autoantibody profile. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 200 eyes of 100 consecutive adult patients diagnosed with SSc was performed at a tertiary care center in Northern India. The examination of ocular adnexa, anterior segment, and posterior segment with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer's II test, and choroidal thickness measurement by swept-source ocular coherence tomography was done. Autoantibody profile was available for 85 patients, and its statistical association with the ocular examination findings was analyzed. Results: In total, 100 patients (93 females and 7 males) were included. The mean age was 45.11 ± 11.68 years, and the mean disease duration was 6.93 ± 3.68 years. Meibomian gland disease was more commonly found in patients with the diffuse subtype of SSc (P = 0.037). Choroidal thickness was increased in 34% and decreased in 7% (reference range = 307 ± 79 µm) patients. Reduced TBUT, meibomian gland dysfunction, and eyelid stiffness had a statistically significant association with the presence of anti-Scl-70 antibody (P = 0.003, <0.0001, and 0.004, respectively). These patients had ocular fatigue, foreign body sensation, and burning sensation. No significant association was noted with the presence of SS-A/Ro and SS-B/La antibodies. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for an active comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Approximately 75% of the patients in our cohort had ocular involvement to varying extent. An isolated presence of anti-Scl70 antibody was also found to have a positive association with dry eye disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although studies often report the prevalence of obesity, community-based studies reporting the incidence of overweight or obesity in India are scarce. Such incidence data are crucial for improving projections about the future burden of obesity. Methods: A non-concurrent follow-up study was done in 2015 in urban Vellore, Tamil Nadu, among two groups of women aged 30-40 years, with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m² (normal) and BMI ≥25 kg/m² (overweight/obese) in 2012, to assess changes in BMI. The sampling frame consisted of 473 women: 209 women with BMI <25 kg/m², and 264 women with BMI ≥25 kg/m², who were part of a cross-sectional survey in 2012. A randomly selected list of 370 women (80% of the original cohort) was used to trace the women. Measurements at follow-up included weight, height, dietary and other risk factors. Results: Of 370 women, 170 (45.9%) were followed up at the end of three years, which included 82 with BMI <25 kg/m² and 88 with BMI >25 kg/m². The incidence of overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) in three years, was 29.2% (24/82), among women with a normal BMI (<25 kg/m²) in 2012. Among the 88 women who were overweight/obese in 2012, there was no regression to normal BMI within the three years of follow-up. There was an association between the incidence of overweight and the intake of carbohydrates (adjusted odds ratios (AORs): 3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 to 8.63) and protein intake (AOR: 20.0, 95% CI: 2.5 to 158.3). Conclusions: This study found an incidence of nearly one-third (29.2%) of developing high BMI (≥25.0 kg/m²) in 30-40-year-old urban women from Vellore, implying a rapid increase in overweight and obesity among young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was undertaken to explicate the shared and distinctive genetic susceptibility and immune dysfunction in patients with T1D alone and T1D with CD (T1D + CD). Methods: A total of 100 T1D, 50 T1D + CD and 150 healthy controls were recruited. HLA-DRB1/DQB1 alleles were determined by PCR-sequence-specific primer method, SNP genotyping for CTLA-4 and PTPN22 was done by simple probe-based SNP-array and genotyping for INS-23 Hph1 A/T was done by RFLP. Autoantibodies and cytokine estimation was done by ELISA. Immune-regulation was analysed by flow-cytometry. Clustering of autoantigen epitopes was done by epitope cluster analytical tool. Results: Both T1D alone and T1D + CD had a shared association of DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04, DRB3*01:07/15 and DQB1*02. DRB3*01:07/15 confers the highest risk for T1D with relative risk of 11.32 (5.74–22.31). Non-HLA gene polymorphisms PTPN22 and INS could discriminate between T1D and T1D + CD. T1D + CD have significantly higher titers of autoantibodies, expression of costimulatory molecules on CD4 and CD8 cells, and cytokine IL-17A and TGF-β1 levels compared to T1D patients. Epitopes from immunodominant regions of autoantigens of T1D and CD clustered together with 40% homology. Conclusion: Same HLA genes provide susceptibility for both T1D and CD. Non-HLA genes CTLA4, PTPN22 and INS provide further susceptibility while different polymorphisms in PTPN22 and INS can discriminate between T1D and T1D + CD. Epitope homology between autoantigens of two diseases further encourages the two diseases to occur together. The T1D + CD being more common in females along with co-existence of thyroid autoimmunity, and have more immune dysregulated state than T1D alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aspiration cytology has recently become the first-line of investigation during the initial assessment of any swelling. It is also an effective tool for the early diagnosis of malignancy. In this study, the feasibility of extending the benefits of this simple, cost-effective procedure to the community level has been assessed. Aim: In the present study, attempts were made to prove that most aspirations and subsequent interpretations of aspirated samples could be accomplished by Junior Residents (JRs) even in a tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bankura Sammilani Medical College (BSMC), West Bengal, India for a period of nine years (01/01/2014 to 31/12/2022). Conventional aspirations without guidance were included in the study group. The majority of aspirations were successfully conducted by JRs, and only 4.5% (823) of conventional aspirations needed the help and supervision of senior faculties. All adequate aspirations were then independently interpreted by two separate JRs, and the proportion of cases with similar and dissimilar interpretations was duly noted. Finally, all the smears were assessed by senior faculties and compared with the interpretations of JRs. Result: During this study period, a total of 19,743 aspirations were done of which 18,391 were conventional. JRs aspirated 17,568 (95.5%) of these cases. Data analysis revealed that JRs were successful in 16,570 (83.9%) of total aspirations and also correctly interpreted 13,381 (67.8%) of total cases. Conclusion: This study proved that one year of training could be sufficient to achieve a desirable level of competency in aspiration and interpretation of cytological samples. So, willing doctors with the necessary training could perform as Community Cytopathologists (CCPs) to extend the benefits of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) up to the block level, thus escalating the fight against malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frying Gulabjamun in Ghee is key to its distinct taste and texture, but reheating frequency and conditions can affect the sweet's colour and consistency. It is important to understand this dynamic to ensure the desired quality of the final product. Based on the facts as mentioned above, the present study was conducted to analyse the change in colour and viscosity occurring in the Ghee during repetitive frying to cook Gulabjamuns. The change in colour attributes and viscosity of Ghee was monitored at various hours of frying. The results revealed that the Ghee became darker, the green hues became more prominent, and the yellow hues became more intense the longer it was fried. Besides, the most significant color change occurred during the 60-hour frying duration, as indicated by a decrease in lightness (L* value from 43.07 to 41.1) and a noticeable shift towards greener hues (a* value of -7.22334), suggesting that extended frying times lead to the darker and greener side. It attained its maximum viscosity after 12 hours of frying, with a shear stress of 19.10 Pa and viscosity of 0.66 Pa-s, which was correlated with the formation of a scum and the disappearance of steam bubbles. The physicochemical changes taking place in Ghee during the frying of Gulabjamun after repeated heating provide understanding to sweet makers for the selection of the appropriate frying medium and frying techniques, which ultimately assist in the improvement of the overall sensory attributes of the Gulabjamun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning models have received a significant breakthrough in remote sensing scene classification due to their discriminative, hierarchical feature extraction ability. Nevertheless, CNN-based methods deliver accurate classification results only with sufficient annotated training samples. The computational bottleneck of CNNs with numerous parameters in case of inadequate training samples and the inherent class imbalance problem in high-resolution satellite scene classification question the classifier's performance. Existing deep CNNs with conventional Cross-Entropy loss function neglected the significance of gradient contribution from minority classes in handling imbalanced LULC class distribution. In this context, we propose the hybrid probabilistic gradient-based deep learning framework CNN-FHSVM with regularized novel Focal-Hinge loss cost function optimization for alleviating misclassifications in imbalanced datasets. The empirical experimentation with Sentinel 2 EuroSat Dataset benchmarked for deep learning algorithms demonstrated that the proposed model is superior in mitigating classification errors in imbalanced class distribution contrasted to the cutting-edge deep learning frameworks. The proposed loss function adaptively updates the gradient of the minority classes, drifting the focus to misclassified scenes. Focal-hinge loss is the first endeavor adapted to remote sensing LULC multiclass classification to reduce misclassifications. The model demonstrates higher accuracy with reduced misclassifications and training time and can benefit other remote sensing applications like early deforestation urban planning, where LULC maps are imbalanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some of the factors that contribute to the quality of milk include fat content, pH, viscosity and other rheological aspects. This research extensively investigated the effects of ohmic heating (OH) on milk viscosity, along with other rheological attributes and pH. Methods: Milk samples with varied fat constituents were subjected to OH at a constant voltage of 140V until they reached a temperature of 90°C. The pH of raw milk and heated milk was determined using an auto-pH meter, whereas the viscosity of the same was measured using a Brookfield viscometer that includes a wide range of characteristics, such as viscosity, temperature, shear stress and torque at various spindle rotation speeds. The current investigation used principal component analysis (PCA) as a key statistical approach. Result: The pH values exhibited little fluctuations during OH across several milk kinds, indicating mild acidification throughout the process, but the observed alterations did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05), suggesting that OH does not significantly affect milk pH. Viscosity measurements showed that the application of OH resulted in a decrease in the average viscosity of milk, suggesting changes in its ability to withstand shear forces. The correlation study revealed robust positive associations between viscosity and fat content (PC2-26.77%), as well as between rotational speed, shear rate and torque (PC1-53.72%) and a negative correlation with temperature, offering valuable insights into the dynamic properties of milk when subjected to thermal heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Fungal phytopathogens are a significant threat to crops and food security, and there is a constant need to develop safe and effective compounds that antagonize them. In‐planta assays are complex and tedious and are thus not suitable for initial high‐throughput screening of new candidate antifungal compounds. We propose an in vitro screening pipeline that integrates five rapid quantitative and qualitative methods to estimate the efficacy and mode of action of prospective antifungal compounds. RESULTS: The pipeline was evaluated using five documented antifungal compounds (benomyl, catechol, cycloheximide, 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol, and phenylacetic acid) that have different modes of action and efficacy, against the model soilborne fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis cucumerinum. We initially evaluated the five compounds' ability to inhibit fungal growth and metabolic activity using green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labeled F. oxysporum and PrestoBlue staining, respectively, in multiwell plate assays. We tested the compounds' inhibition of both conidial germination and hyphal elongation. We then employed FUN‐1 and SYTO9/propidium iodide staining, coupled to confocal microscopy, to differentiate between fungal growth inhibition and death at the cellular level. Finally, using a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐detection assay, we were able to quantify ROS production in response to compound application. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the proposed pipeline provides a wide array of quantitative and qualitative data on the tested compounds that can help pinpoint promising novel compounds; these can then be evaluated more vigorously using in planta screening assays. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to document and compare the diversity of chalcidid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in the natural ecosystems and man-made agroecosystems of Chhattisgarh, India. Sweep net and yellow pan traps were used for sampling and a total of 354 individuals belonging to 70 species, 11 genera and four subfamilies of Chalcididae were collected in the last five years i.e. between 2019 - 2023 and studied. About 156 individuals were reported from the collections of 2019 - 2020 that belonged to 42 species of 10 genera under four subfamilies from the two different ecosystems whereas 198 specimens belonging to 56 species, nine genera and 4 subfamilies were recorded from Chhattisgarh's two different ecosystems in 2021 - 2023. The natural ecosystems of Chhattisgarh stood out as the rich Chalcididae diverse areas throughout the study periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a nonhepatotropic virus. It causes mild self-limiting illness characterized by fever, oral ulcer, diarrhea, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. Rarely it causes acute liver failure (ALF). EBV-related ALF (EBV-ALF) accounts for 0.2% of all ALF cases. The prognosis of EBV-ALF is dismal, and it can affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. We performed a partial autopsy on a 30-year-old immunocompetent individual with infectious mononucleosis and ALF. The autopsy showed characteristic histomorphology of EBV-ALF in the form of centrizonal confluent hepatocytic necrosis, portal mixed inflammatory infiltrate, sinusoidal lymphocytosis, numerous hemophagocytic figures, and tissue Epstein-Barr encoded RNA-in situ hybridization (EBER-ISH) positivity. Extensive hemophagocytosis was noted in the liver, spleen, lymph node, and bone marrow. Other features include T-zone expansion of lymph nodes and spleen, interstitial pneumonia pattern in the lungs, and exanthematous skin changes. EBV-DNA polymerase chain reaction from the postmortem blood sample yielded 70,200 copies/µL. The index case highlights the uncommon occurrence of EBV-ALF, its histomorphological features, and its putative pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The keystone design perforator island flap (KDPIF) is unique among local flaps because of its high potential for adaptation. We describe our experience with the use of the keystone flap for the reconstruction of a variety of defects in different regions of the body concerning its versatility, surgical outcomes, complications, postoperative pain, operative time, and esthetic outcomes. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at our institute from June 2021 to June 2023 where the use of KDPIFs in resurfacing soft tissue defects of different etiopathogenesis was evaluated and the data were analyzed. Results Forty-four patients were included in the study with soft tissue defects of various etiologies and at different locations. The largest flap raised was 18 × 10 cm and the smallest was 4 × 2 cm. The average intraoperative time for completion of the procedure was 74.86 minutes (range: 45–120 minutes). The success rate of flap survivability was 95.45% with two patients having total flap loss necessitating another reconstructive option. Partial flap dehiscence which healed secondarily was observed in two patients. Postoperative pain showed a significant fall of 83.7% from baseline and 82.9% of cases were extremely satisfied with the esthetic outcome. Conclusion The keystone flap is a valuable reconstructive tool in the armamentarium of a plastic surgeon. It is technically reproducible, suitable to be done in resource-limited settings, and provides contiguous tissue with good vascularity and fewer complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele frequencies have a known association with the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. Methods: We recruited 31 Indian patients of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation (ADMH) and 60 unrelated, age‐and‐gender‐matched healthy controls. After history and clinical examination, 5 ml of blood in EDTA vials was collected. These samples were subjected to DNA extraction and the expression of HLA A, B, C, DR, DQ‐A, and DQ‐B was studied. Results: There was a predominance of females with a gender ratio of 23 : 8 and the most common phototype was Fitzpatrick type IV (83.9%). There was a significant association of HLA A*03:01 (OR: 5.8, CI: 1.7–17.0, P = 0.005), HLA B*07:02 (OR: 5.3, CI: 1.9–14.6, P = 0.003), HLA C*07:02 (OR: 4.3, CI: 1.8–9.6, P = 0.001), HLA DRB1*10:01 (OR: 7.6, CI: 1.7–38.00, P = 0.022), and HLA DRB1*15:02 (OR: 31.0, CI: 4.4–341.8, P < 0.001) with patients compared to controls, whereas HLA DQB*03:01 was less associated with patients compared to controls (OR: 0.2, CI: 0.0–0.6, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Patients with ADMH are more likely to have the HLA A*03:01, HLA B 07*02, HLA C*07:02, HLA DRB1*10:01, HLA DRB1*15:02 and less likely to have the HLA DQB*03:01 allele. Larger cohort studies may thus be conducted studying these specific alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Dermatology suggests that a heterozygous RAD50 gene variant may play a role in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease. The study examined a family with SSc and identified the RAD50 gene variant in the index patient and her monozygotic twin sisters. RAD50 is involved in DNA repair and genomic stability, and alterations in this gene may lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species and fibrosis, which are central to the pathogenesis of SSc. The presence of the RAD50 variant may also be linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the RAD50 gene variant in SSc. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Preoperative fasting leads to a catabolic state aggravated by surgical stress. This leads to poor patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the effect of preoperative oral carbohydrate administration on perioperative hyperglycemia and patient comfort. Methods: This prospective, randomized study was conducted on 60 adult American Society of Anesthesiologist I/II patients undergoing hip fracture fixation after obtaining institutional ethical committee clearance. Patients were randomly kept conventionally fasted before surgery (group F, n = 30) or were given oral carbohydrate 2 h before surgery (group C, n = 30). Under all aseptic precautions, a combined spinal epidural block was administered, and surgery was allowed. The primary outcome was blood glucose, and secondary outcomes included incidence of postoperative hyperglycemia, insulin level, blood urea, hunger, thirst, and anxiety. Results: Blood glucose levels were not statistically different between the two groups at baseline (T0; P=0.400), immediately after surgery (T1; P=0.399) and 24h after surgery (T2; P=0.619). The incidence of postoperative hyperglycemia was significantly higher in group F than in group C (P=0.045) at T2. Insulin levels, blood urea levels, and hunger scores were also not statistically different between the groups. The thirst and anxiety scores were lower at T0 and T1 in group C. Conclusion: Preoperative oral carbohydrate administration does not prevent perioperative increases in blood glucose levels. However, it reduces the incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and decreases perioperative thirst and anxiety, thereby improving the quality of perioperative patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning(ML) based techniques for Land Use Land Cover(LULC) classification is crucial for extracting valuable insights from satellite imagery. The impact of severe class imbalance problems on LULC datasets, added to the limited temporal coverage, incomplete spectral information, spatial resolution constraints, and limitations due to sensor characteristics of a single satellite, hinder the efficient capturing of complex image features. The object-based classification using Gray-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM) and Simple Non-Iterative Clustering(SNIC) captures the textural and spectral information, respectively, to enhance the accuracy in heterogeneous landscapes and overcome the limitations of pixel-based classification, such as the sensitivity towards noise and spectral confusion in mixed pixels at the cost of increased additional computational steps. In this context, the proposed study leverages high-quality fused images with diverse temporal, spectral, and spatial information obtained by fusing Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellite imageries using Spatial-and-Temporal-Adaptive-Reflectance-Fusion-Model(STARFM). Further, to solve the class imbalance problem, a Granular Computing(GrC) based Segmentation and Textural Analysis(GrCSTA) framework is proposed for reducing the number of image primitives and computations required for subsequent image analysis processes in the object-based classification. The GrCSTA framework focuses on extracting the Spatial Granules(Gs) from the fused imagery using Spatial neighborhood Granulation(SNGr), textural indices of the Gs using GLCM, and reduced textural indices using Principal Component Analysis(PCA). Gs and its reduced textural indices are input features to train the Random Forest(RF) classifier. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed GrCSTA framework achieves comparably higher accuracy than the state-of-the-art models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, sleep is an essential physiological process for life and survival. The main objective of the current study is to determine the behavioural sleep patterns and social jetlag in elderly adults. The second objective is to define the relationship among subjective sleep quality, mid-sleep timings, social jetlag, and sunlight exposure. We recruited 945 female and 1047 male participants aged ≥ 60 years from 65 rural villages in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, India. The Munich Chrono Type Questionnaire (MCTQ) is a self-reported questionnaire that measures a person's behavioral sleep variables, including social jetlag and chronotype, whereas the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) measures the subjective sleep quality of an individual. We employed MCTQ and PSQI to obtain behavioral sleep variables and subjective sleep quality in the recruited subjects. The behavioral sleep variables were compared using a paired t-test on both work and work-free days. In addition, the behavioral sleep variables as a function of gender were compared using an independent Student's t-test. In the current study, most of the elderly individuals reported both midpoint of sleep on workdays (MSW) and midpoint of sleep on work-free days (MSF) between 00:01–03:00. The averages of mid-sleep timings between workdays and work-free days were not statistically significant. Data on MSFsc (midpoint of sleep on work-free days sleep corrected) indicated that most elderly adults (99.6%) are morning type; they go to bed early and wake up early. The elderly participants from the rural population of Sambalpur district in western Odisha had the least social jetlag and exhibited good subjective sleep quality. It would be worthwhile to find out the determinants of these positive features apropos social jetlag and behavioural sleep patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial data represent the geomorphological phenomenon occurring on the earth's surface. Several geological phenomena undergo changes over a period of time due to natural and man-made reasons. A footprint is defined as the spatial extent of any geomorphology, ecology or human activity at a particular instant of time. Change detection includes the study of change in footprint of a particular class. In this work, we proposed a footprint extraction method, footprint extraction using spatial neighbourhood based on spatial neighbourhood property. The proposed footprint extraction method proves to be highly effective than different state-of-the-art methods in terms of silhouette score value. An unsupervised change computation framework has also been proposed. The experiments are performed on five temporal Landsat 5 thematic mapper images of the Delhi region. Spatial polygons have been used to identify the spatial footprint of the predetermined class. Some non-spatial parameters like the size, the area, and percentage of area out of the total area of the targeted class have been used to study the extent of a predetermined class. The temporal change vector has been proposed to find the temporal change pattern in the observed concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic 2019. SARS-CoV-2 affects respiratory tract and damages the tissue resulting in generation of inflammatory cells such as cytokines and chemokines such as IFN that damage the lung alveoli, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study are to analyze the blood inflammatory markers of COVID-19 patients and association between clinical outcomes in COVID-19-positive patients with serum inflammatory markers during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in 100 bedded dedicated COVID MCH Raigarh CG. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based crosssectional observational study, 90 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled and categorized into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. Blood inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, CK-Nac as well as hemogram total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count, and neutrophil: lymphocyte (N:L) were determined and analyzed. Results: The results of the oxygen saturation (SpO2) severity strength of association with multiple variables taken in the study through logistic regression analysis of COVID-19 patient’s inflammatory markers serum levels of LDH (P<0.05, odds ratio [OR]=1.0146), ferritin (P<0.05, OR=0.9788), N:L (P<0.05, OR=4.1041), and other non-inflammatory parameters such as creatinine (P<0.05, OR=17.8039) were significant. SpO2 severity of COVID-19 patient’s with inflammatory markers LDH, ferritin, CK-Nac, and TLC associated with all severe, moderate, and mild groups. There was no significant association in the serum levels of CRP between the severe, moderate, and mild groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the levels of LDH, ferritin, CK-Nac, and TLC could be used to predict the severity of COVID-19 disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is now emerging as a complex realm of three chief systems viz. immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system. The cells involved in their intricate crosstalk, namely native skin cells, intra‐cutaneous immune cells and cutaneous sensory neurons have diverse origin and distinct functions. However, recent studies have explored their role beyond their pre‐defined functional boundaries, such that the cells shun their traditional functions and adopt unconventional roles. For example, the native skin cells, apart from providing for basic structural framework of skin, also perform special immune functions and participate in extensive neuro‐endocrine circuitry, which were traditionally designated as functions of cutaneous resident immune cells and sensory neurons respectively. At the cellular level, this unique collaboration is brought out by special molecules called neuromediators including neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, neurotrophins, neurohormones and cytokines/chemokines. While this intricate crosstalk is essential for maintaining cutaneous homeostasis, its disruption is seen in various cutaneous diseases. Recent study models have led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of pathophysiology of many such disorders. In this review, we have described in detail the interaction of immune cells with neurons and native skin cells, role of neuromediators, the endocrine aspect in skin and current understanding of cutaneous neuro‐immuno‐endocrine loop in one of the commonest skin diseases, psoriasis. An accurate knowledge of this unique crosstalk can prove crucial in understanding the pathophysiology of different skin diseases and allow for generation of targeted therapeutic modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial polygon data represents the area of some events such as disease cases, crime, health care facilities, earthquakes, and fires. Finding the hotspot is crucial in exploratory data analysis. Although finding the spatially significant cluster is still challenging work. On this account, in this paper, we proposed a novel method based on the rough graph that finds the statistically significant hotspot. First, Global Moan's I index is calculated to find the presence of a hotspot in the data set. A positive value of Global Moran's I index shows the presence of a hotspot in the dataset. Then, the RGBHSD algorithm is used, which constructs a rough graph by considering each polygon as the node, and there is an edge between the two nodes if two polygons are neighbours of each other. Then boundary value analysis is done on the lower region of the rough graph, which considers some more boundary value polygon to be changed as the lower region. The polygons belonging to the lower region are considered the candidate hotspot. After detecting the candidate hotspot, a statistical significance test is done to find the significant hotspot. Finally, the RGBHSD algorithm is evaluated based on the evaluation metrics. We tested the algorithm on the socio-economic dataset of UP, India and Brexit dataset of UK. In the socioeconomic dataset the health facility provided in the villages is used to find the hotspot. In the Brexit dataset field related to the percent of the vote for the UK to be in the European union or not is taken. After the analysis, it is found that the hotspots generated are denser, and the time taken by the algorithm is less and the HPAI value is high than other literature methods. The result shows that the hotspots are scattered over the study region but clustered in some areas like west UP, east UP, etc. The hotspot offers health facilities in these virtuous areas and for Brexit data hotspot is clustered in the south region. This type of analysis is suitable for dealing with the pandemic, and to understand the pattern of any disaster drought, flood etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the market is full of lists of products produced by way of vivid processing, blended formulation, and other novel formulation practices. In a similar vein, ohmic heating (OH) has proven to be a successful replacement for traditional procedures. Although the microbial burden is substantially reduced, the aforementioned method also controls the sensory and functional qualities of meals. OH is regarded as a thermal treatment option that is less damaging to food constituents in comparison to traditional thermal methods. The said processing method retains vivid food constituents that are widely acknowledged under the significant nutritional and functional category, hence addressing healthy longevity. Furthermore, OH is the least severe category of thermal operation in competition with the most technologically advanced food processing operations. The current study emphasizes the crucial relevance of knowing the effects of OH on food ingredients, which will serve as a basis for optimizing this novel approach for a wide range of food products. The effects of OH on quality characteristics such as color, flavor, and texture are thoroughly investigated, offering vital insights into OH's capacity to maintain and enhance the sensory aspects of food items. Furthermore, the study looks at the effect of OH on nutritional contents, emphasizing the need to strike a careful balance between ensuring microbiological safety and retaining the nutritional integrity of treated foods. This literature survey closely examines the impact of OH on microorganisms, enzymes, color, and rheological and textural attributes of food, along with the deterioration of diverse bioactive substances, including phenolics and carotenoids, as well as vitamins. Besides, the paper explains the effect of the inactivation mechanism of microorganisms. The findings serve as a platform for future research and development, as well as a road map for the effective deployment and commercialization of OH technology in a variety of food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the familial aggregation of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease. The study focuses on a family with dcSSc and identifies a variant in the C1r gene, which encodes a proteolytic subunit in the complement system. The presence of this gene variant, along with a susceptible HLA haplotype and specific autoantibodies, may contribute to the development and clinical course of dcSSc. The study highlights the importance of genetic factors in the etiology of SSc and suggests the need for further research to understand the mechanisms involved. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of adhering to clinical exercise suggestions on the utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans in the management of patients with suspected appendicitis. Materials and Methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on scientific records of patients provided with suspected appendicitis at a tertiary care clinic over a two-year duration. Data collected was protected patient demographics, medical presentation, laboratory findings, and the usage of CT scans as consistent with adherence to scientific exercise suggestions. The scientific practice suggestions have been primarily based on a scientific literature evaluation and consensus tips for suspected appendicitis. Results: A total of 350 patients were covered in the study. Among them, 180 patients (51.4%) had been managed following scientific exercise guidelines, while 170 patients (48.6%) received non-guiding principle-based care. The use of CT scans in the guideline-adherent groups was substantially lower (31.1%) in comparison to the non-adherent groups (72.4%). Patients controlled in keeping with the guidelines experienced fewer complications (12.2% vs. 20.6%) and shorter health center remains (mean 2.5 days vs. 3.7 days). Moreover, the general care group showed a substantial decrease in the rule of adherent group. Conclusion: Adherence to scientific guideline tips in the control of suspected appendicitis results in a discounted usage of CT scans, resulting in decreased charges, shorter health center stays, and fewer complications. These findings recommend that the implementation of proofprimarily based guidelines can improve the performance of patient care in instances of suspected appendicitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is an umbilical nodule found in patients with metastatic abdominal cancers. It is quite rare finding and needs a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Detection of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule should warrant widespread search for abdominal carcinoma and it universally carries quite poor clinical prognosis. Here, we describe the case of a 28-year-old patient who presented with Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule and was found to have metastatic signet ring cell gastric carcinoma on investigation. A brief discussion about this rare condition is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy has been proposed to have better clinical outcomes in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). On the other hand, chemotherapeutics is known to have certain unwanted effects on the tumor microenvironment that may mask the expected beneficial effects of immunotherapy. Here, we have investigated the effect of gemcitabine (GEM), on two immune checkpoint proteins (PD-L1 and PD-L2) expression in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs). Findings of in vitro studies conducted by using in-culture activated mouse pancreatic stellate cells (mPSCs) and human PDAC patients derived CAFs demonstrated that GEM significantly induces PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in these cells. Moreover, GEM induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and production of multiple known PD-L1-inducing secretory proteins including IFN-γ in CAFs. Upregulation of PD-L1 in PSCs/CAFs upon GEM treatment caused T cell inactivation and apoptosis in vitro. Importantly, Statins suppressed GEM-induced PD-L1 expression both in CAFs and PCCs while abrogating the inactivation of T-cells caused by GEM-treated PSCs/CAFs. Finally, in an immunocompetent syngeneic orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor model, simvastatin and GEM combination therapy significantly reduced intra-tumor PD-L1 expression and noticeably reduced the overall tumor burden and metastasis incidence. Together, the findings of this study have provided experimental evidence that illustrates potential unwanted side effects of GEM that could hamper the effectiveness of this drug as mono and/or combination therapy. At the same time the findings also suggest use of statins along with GEM will help in overcoming these shortcomings and warrant further clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Method: The aim of this study is to derive a regression formula between hand length and height of an individual. Bertillon system is based on the principle that after the age of 21 years, the dimensions of the skeleton remain unchanged and also that the ratio in size of different parts to one another varies considerably in different individuals. Result: The reliability of estimation of stature from foot length was determined with the help of Standard Error of Estimation (SEE). The SEE predicts the deviations of estimated stature from the actual stature. Estimation of height from foot length of female subjects exhibits lower values of Standard Error of Estimation than from foot length of male subjects. It means the reliability of stature from foot length of female subjects is more than male subjects. Conclusion: These types of studies are of medico legal importance, as the first step in forensic analysis in establishing the identity of the person in question, where stature is one of the primary characteristics of identification. These studies are also of anthropological importance as it helps to know the differences between different population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus cereus sensu lato (Bcsl) strains are widely explored due to their capacity to antagonize a broad range of plant pathogens. These include B. cereus sp. UW85, whose antagonistic capacity is attributed to the secondary metabolite Zwittermicin A (ZwA). We recently isolated four soil and root-associated Bcsl strains (MO2, S-10, S-25, LSTW-24) that displayed different growth profiles and in-vitro antagonistic effects against three soilborne plant pathogens models: Pythium aphanidermatum (oomycete) Rhizoctonia solani (basidiomycete), and Fusarium oxysporum (ascomycete). To identify genetic mechanisms potentially responsible for the differences in growth and antagonistic phenotypes of these Bcsl strains, we sequenced and compared their genomes, and that of strain UW85 using a hybrid sequencing pipeline. Despite similarities, specific Bcsl strains had unique secondary metabolite and chitinase-encoding genes that could potentially explain observed differences in in-vitro chitinolytic potential and anti-fungal activity. Strains UW85, S-10 and S-25 contained a (~500 Kbp) mega-plasmid that harbored the ZwA biosynthetic gene cluster. The UW85 mega-plasmid contained more ABC transporters than the other two strains, whereas the S-25 mega-plasmid carried a unique cluster containing cellulose and chitin degrading genes. Collectively, comparative genomics revealed several mechanisms that can potentially explain differences in in-vitro antagonism of Bcsl strains toward fungal plant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is an umbilical nodule found in patients with metastatic abdominal cancers. It is quite rare finding and needs a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Detection of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule should warrant widespread search for abdominal carcinoma and it universally carries quite poor clinical prognosis. Here, we describe the case of a 28-year-old patient who presented with Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule and was found to have metastatic signet ring cell gastric carcinoma on investigation. A brief discussion about this rare condition is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]