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50 respondents were chosen randomly for primary data collection. In this study, principal component method was applied to estimate the factor loadings and communalities. ‘Varimax’ factor rotation was used to estimate factor loadings. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's Test were also applied. Besides, to identify the factors coefficient value and significance level multiple logistic regression model was applied. The study identified two major vegetable marketing channels, viz. Farmer- Local Market- Consumer and Farmer- Local Market- Local Retailer- Consumer; and three value addition activities, viz. washing, grading and bundling of vegetables. Problems associated with marketing channels were identified as lack of proper irrigation system, better transportation, diversified market, market infrastructure, storage facility, knowledge about new technology and marketing skill, proper guidance and training. The study recognized four factors that affect vegetable marketing channels. These are: Marketing factor (Factor 1), Economic factor (Factor 2), Social factor (Factor 3) and External factor (Factor 4). The study recommended that policy makers should come forward to ensure dissemination of appropriate technologies, adequate training for indigenous farmers, better transportation system, well established market infrastructure and integrate all activities of participants like farmers, local retailers, government, NGOs etc. to ensure a smooth, fair and profitable vegetable marketing channel. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(4): 445-454, December 2020

Supplementary Figures 1-7 and Supplementary Table 1

Supplementary Figure 1. SMARCA4 (212520_s_at) expression correlates with overall survival independent of stage in the Director's Challenge Study. Supplementary Figure 2. Low SMARCA4 (214360_at) expression correlates with decreased overall survival in the Director's Challenge Study. Supplementary Figure 3. Low SMARCA4 (208794_s_at) expression correlates with improved disease-specific survival with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the JBR.10 trial. Supplementary Figure 4. Low SMARCA4 (208794_s_at) expression correlates with improved overall survival with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the JBR.10 trial. Supplementary Figure 5. Low SMARCA4 (208793_x_at (A), 212520_s_at (B), 214360_at (C), and 215714_s_at (D)) expression correlates with improved disease-specific survival with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the JBR.10 trial. Supplementary Figure 6. SMARCA2 (206543_at) expression trends toward improved disease-specific survival with adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the JBR.10 trial. Supplementary Figure 7. Mapping of the probe sets to the SMARCA4 gene.

Supplementary Table 1. Univariate analysis of SMARCA4 expression in the Director's Challenge Study. Supplementary Table 2. Log-rank analysis of SMARCA4 expression for observation vs adjuvant cisplatin/vinorelbine in NSCLC within the JBR.10 trial. Supplementary Table 3. Univariate analysis of SMARCA4 expression in the JBR.10 trial.

Purpose: Identification of predictive biomarkers is critically needed to improve selection of patients who derive the most benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy. We hypothesized that decreased expression of SMARCA4/BRG1, a known regulator of transcription and DNA repair, is a novel predictive biomarker of increased sensitivity to adjuvant platinum-based therapies in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Experimental Design: The prognostic value was tested using a gene-expression microarray from the Director's Challenge Lung Study (n = 440). The predictive significance of SMARCA4 was determined using a gene-expression microarray (n = 133) from control and treatment arms of the JBR.10 trial of adjuvant cisplatin/vinorelbine. Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank tests were used to estimate and test the differences of probabilities in overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) between expression groups and treatment arms. Multivariate Cox regression models were used while adjusting for other clinical covariates.Results: In the Director's Challenge Study, reduced expression of SMARCA4 was associated with poor OS compared with high and intermediate expression (P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). In multivariate analysis, compared with low, high SMARCA4 expression predicted a decrease in risk of death [HR, 0.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4–0.8; P = 0.002]. In the JBR.10 trial, improved 5-year DSS was noted only in patients with low SMARCA4 expression when treated with adjuvant cisplatin/vinorelbine [HR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.0–0.5, P = 0.002 (low); HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5–2.3, P = 0.92 (high)]. An interaction test was highly significant (P = 0.01).Conclusions: Low expression of SMARCA4/BRG1 is significantly associated with worse prognosis; however, it is a novel significant predictive biomarker for increased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2396–404. ©2015 AACR.

The application of biochar may enhance the yield of potato for different processing categories. A field experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, during the period from November, 2020 to April, 2021 to find out the response of biochar on yield of potato for different processing categories. The experiment comprised of Potato varieties (3): V1: BARI Alu-29 (Courage), V2: BARI Alu-28 (Lady Rosetta) and V3: BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) and Biochar level (5): B0: 0 t ha-1, B1: 2.50 t ha-1, B2: 5.00 t ha-1 and B3: 7.50 t ha-1 and B4: 10 t ha-1. The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The results showed that biochar amendment could enhance the yield of processing category potato. The total yield and marketable yield of potato gradually increased with increasing biochar level. The results also revealed that the processing category potato viz., canned, chips and French fry potato yield progressively increased with advancing biochar level irrespective of varieties except dehydrated category. In case of marketable yield, BARI Alu-25 and BARI Alu-29 with biochar level 5 to 10 t ha-1performed superior than other combinations and produced 19.50 to 21.30 t ha-1which are 18.54 to 36.45% higher than without biochar. The combination of V2B4 produced maximum canned (8.10 t ha-1) and dehydrated potato (10.09t ha-1) but V3B4 made significantly highest chips (9.03 t ha-1) and French fry (5.70 t ha-1) potato, whereas, BARI Alu-29 and BARI Alu-28 did not produce any French fry category potato. However, the level of biochar of 5 to 10 t ha-1 could enhance processing category potato production. It may be concluded that potato growers may apply biochar along with recommended rate of other fertilizers for producing maximum processing category potato. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(2): 63-72

Motivated by recent observations of threefold rotational symmetry breaking in twisted moir\'e systems, cold-atom optical lattices, quantum Hall systems, and triangular antiferromagnets, we phenomenologically investigate the strain-temperature phase diagram of the electronic 3-state Potts-nematic order. While in the absence of strain the quantum Potts-nematic transition is first-order, quantum critical points (QCP) emerge when uniaxial strain is applied, whose nature depends on whether the strain is compressive or tensile. In one case, the nematic amplitude jumps between two non-zero values while the nematic director remains pinned, leading to a symmetry-preserving meta-nematic transition that terminates at a quantum critical end-point. For the other type of strain, the nematic director unlocks from the strain direction and spontaneously breaks an in-plane twofold rotational symmetry, which in twisted moir\'e superlattices triggers an electric polarization. Such a piezoelectric transition changes from first to second-order upon increasing strain, resulting in a quantum tricritical point. Using a Hertz-Millis approach, we show that these QCPs share interesting similarities with the widely studied Ising-nematic QCP. The existence of three minima in the nematic action also leaves fingerprints in the strain-nematic hysteresis curves, which display multiple loops. At non-zero temperatures, because the upper critical dimension of the 3-state Potts model is smaller than three, the Potts-nematic transition is expected to remain first-order in 3D, but to change to second-order in 2D. As a result, the 2D strain-temperature phase diagram displays two first-order transition wings bounded by lines of critical end-points or tricritical points, reminiscent of the phase diagram of metallic ferromagnets. We discuss how our results can be used to unambiguously identify spontaneous Potts-nematic order., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures

The experiment was conducted to study the response of lentil to irrigation levels and different methods of boron application in relation to yield and yield contributing characters. Three levels of irrigation viz., I0: control (No irrigation), I1: one irrigation at 25 days after sowing (DAS), I2: two irrigations at 25 DAS and 40 DAS, and four levels of Boron viz., B0: control (No boron), B1: 80% recommended dose (RD) as basal + rest 20% as a foliar spray (FS) at pre-flowering (PF), B2: 60% RD as basal + rest 40% as FS at PF, B3: 40% RD as basal + rest 60% as FS at PF as treatment variables. It was found that the highest number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, 1000-seed weight, pod length, seed yield and stover yield was obtained with two irrigations. In contrast, B3 had a significant effect on the yield contributing characters of lentil. Results also revealed that numerically more seed yield (638.23 kg ha-1) was recorded in I2B3. Similar trend was found in case of stover yield (751.26 kg ha-1) and biological yield (1389.4 kg ha-1) from I2B3 combinations. These results suggested that combined application of irrigation at 25 and 40 DAS and boron at 40% RD as basal + rest 60% as FS at PF significantly enhanced the crop yields of lentil. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(1): 129-138

Background The middle frontal gyrus (MFG) is involved in attention, working memory, and language-related processing. A detailed understanding of the subcortical white matter tracts connected within the MFG can facilitate improved navigation of white matter lesions in and around this gyrus and explain the postoperative morbidity after surgery. We aimed to characterize the fiber tracts within the MFG according to their connection to neuroanatomic structures through the use of diffusion spectrum imaging-based fiber tractography and validate the findings by gross anatomic dissection for qualitative visual agreement. Methods Tractography analysis was completed using diffusion imaging data from 10 healthy, adult subjects enrolled in the Human Connectome Project. We assessed the MFG as a whole component according to its fiber connectivity with other neural regions. Mapping was completed on all tracts within both hemispheres, with the resultant tract volumes used to calculate a lateralization index. A modified Klingler technique was used on 10 postmortem dissections to demonstrate the location and orientation of the major tracts. Results Two major connections of the MFG were identified: the superior longitudinal fasciculus, which connects the MFG to parts of the inferior parietal lobule, posterior temporal lobe, and lateral occipital cortex; and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, which connected the MFG to the lingual gyrus and cuneus. Intra- and intergyral short association, U-shaped fibers were also identified. Conclusions Subcortical white matter pathways integrated within the MFG include the superior longitudinal fasciculus and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. The MFG is implicated in a variety of tasks involving attention and memory, making it an important cortical region. The postoperative neurologic outcomes related to surgery in and around the MFG could be clarified in the context of the anatomy of the fiber bundles highlighted in the present study.

To review the literature of venous sinus stenosis (VSS) treatment in children for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and present our own institutional case.A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases up to June 2020. From 134 studies that were screened, 6 studies were chosen for analysis that included patients18 years old, a diagnosis of IIH that fit Dandy diagnostic criteria, and angiogram obtained to assess for VSS. IIH symptoms experienced in the pediatric population and efficacy of venous sinus stenting were analyzed.Eleven patients identified in the literature and 1 patient from our institution were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in pressure gradient response to stenting between male and female patients (P = 0.424) or patients with body mass index90th percentile (P = 0.626). Larger decreases in pressure gradient after stent placement correlated with headache resolution (P = 0.0005). Patients who underwent unilateral stenting showed greater reduction in pressure gradient compared with patients who underwent bilateral stenting (average change 24 mm Hg vs. 5.75 mm Hg, P = 0.003).Our analysis showed that VSS treatment has the potential to be a safe option for IIH in pediatric patients. VSS treatment has shown similar results to traditional cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures, with a lower complication rate and need for revision. More studies should be conducted to analyze the long-term efficacy and safety of VSS treatment in pediatric patients with IIH.

Background The parahippocampal gyrus is understood to have a role in high cognitive functions including memory encoding and retrieval and visuospatial processing. A detailed understanding of the exact location and nature of associated white tracts could significantly improve postoperative morbidity related to declining capacity. Through diffusion tensor imaging−based fiber tracking validated by gross anatomic dissection as ground truth, we have characterized these connections based on relationships to other well-known structures. Methods Diffusion imaging from the Human Connectome Project for 10 healthy adult controls was used for tractography analysis. We evaluated the parahippocampal gyrus as a whole based on connectivity with other regions. All parahippocampal gyrus tracts were mapped in both hemispheres, and a lateralization index was calculated with resultant tract volumes. Results We identified 2 connections of the parahippocampal gyrus: inferior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulum. Lateralization of the cingulum was detected (P Conclusions The parahippocampal gyrus is an important center for memory processing. Subtle differences in executive functioning following surgery for limbic tumors may be better understood in the context of the fiber-bundle anatomy highlighted by this study.

Objective We sought to understand how the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected the neurosurgical workforce. Methods We created a survey consisting of 22 questions to assess the respondent's operative experience, location, type of practice, subspecialty, changes in clinic and operative volumes, changes to staff, and changes to income since the pandemic began. The survey was distributed electronically to neurosurgeons throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Results Of the 724 who opened the survey link, 457 completed the survey. The respondents were from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and represented all practices types and subspecialties. Nearly all respondents reported hospital restrictions on elective surgeries. Most reported a decline in clinic and operative volume. Nearly 70% of respondents saw a decrease in the work hours of their ancillary providers, and almost one half (49.1%) of the respondents had had to downsize their practice staff, office assistants, nurses, schedulers, and other personnel. Overall, 43.6% of survey respondents had experienced a decline in income, and 27.4% expected a decline in income in the upcoming billing cycle. More senior neurosurgeons and those with a private practice, whether solo or as part of a group, were more likely to experience a decline in income as a result of the pandemic compared with their colleagues. Conclusion The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic will likely have a lasting effect on the practice of medicine. Our survey results have described the early effects on the neurosurgical workforce. Nearly all neurosurgeons experienced a significant decline in clinical volume, which led to many downstream effects. Ultimately, analysis of the effects of such a pervasive pandemic will allow the neurosurgical workforce to be better prepared for similar events in the future.

Gradding of potato tuber for different processing purposes may reduce the main constraints of establishing export industry in Bangladesh. From this perspective the experiment was conducted to assess the effect of potassium sources and vermicompost level on yield and grading of potato tuber. The potato tuber of variety BARI Alu-25 (Asterix) was used as the planting material for this experiment. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: 3 sources of Potassium such as-K1: KCl, K2: KNO3, K3: K2SO4; Factor B: 4 levels of vermicompost such as-Vm0: 0 t ha-1 , Vm1: 4 t ha-1 , Vm2: 8 t ha-1 and Vm3: 12 t ha-1 . The two factor experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The highest yield of potato tubers (27.86 t ha-1 ) was recorded from K2SO4, whereas, the lowest (26.02 t ha-1 ) was found from KNO3. The number of tubers hill-1 , average tuber weight, yield and different categories of potato tuber were increased with the increasing of vermicompost level. Among the 12 treatment combinations, the highest yield of potato tubers (31.17 t ha-1 ) were found from K3Vm3, whereas, the lowest (22.09 t ha-1 ) was recorded from K2Vm0. However, K1Vm2, K1Vm3, K3Vm2, K3Vm3 showed statistically similar results regarding yield and grading. So, K2SO4 or KCl as a source of potassium and 8 or 12 ton vermicompost ha-1 was found to be better in respect of yield and grading of potato tubers compared to the other treatments. Among potassium sources, KCl may be economic and will found available for producing good quality potato in Bangladesh.

Background The inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) is known to be involved in high-cognitive functions, including visual and language comprehensions and emotion regulation. A detailed understanding of the nature of association fibers could significantly improve postoperative morbidity related to declining capacity. Through diffusion spectrum imaging−based fiber tracking, we have characterized these connections on the basis of their relationships to other cortical areas. Methods Diffusion spectrum images from 10 healthy adults of the Human Connectome Project were randomly selected and used for tractography analysis. We evaluated the ITG as a whole based on connectivity with other regions. All ITG tracts were mapped in both hemispheres, and a lateralization index was calculated with resultant tract volumes. Results We identified 5 major connections of the ITG: U-fiber, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, vertical occipital fasciculus, arcuate fasciculus, and uncinate fasciculus. There was no fiber lateralization detected. Conclusions This study highlights the principal white-matter pathways of the ITG and demonstrates key underlying connections. We present a summary of the relevant clinical anatomy for this region of the cerebrum as part of a larger effort to understand it in its entirety.

Objective One of the greatest challenges of achieving successful surgical outcomes in patients with epilepsy is the ability to properly localize the seizure onset zone (SOZ). Many techniques exist for localizing the SOZ, including intracranial electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, and stereoelectroencephalography. Recently, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in conjunction with independent component analysis (ICA) has been utilized for presurgical planning of SOZ resection, with varying results. In this meta-analysis, we analyze the current role of rs-fMRI in identifying the SOZ for presurgical planning for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Specifically, we seek to demonstrate its current effectiveness compared to other methods of SOZ localization. Methods A literature review was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases up to May of 2020. A total of 253 articles were screened, and seven studies were chosen for analysis. Each study was analyzed for SOZ localization by ground truth, SOZ localization by rs-fMRI with ICA, principal component analysis, or intrinsic connectivity contrast, and outcomes of surgery. A meta-analysis was performed to analyze how ground truth compares to rs-fMRI in SOZ localization. Results The odds ratio comparing ground truth to rs-fMRI was 2.63 (95% confidence interval = 0.66-10.56). Average concordance of rs-fMRI SOZ localization compared with ground truth localization across studies was 71.3%. Significance In the hunt for less invasive presurgical planning for epilepsy surgery, rs-fMRI with ICA provides a promising avenue for future standard practice. Our preliminary results show no significant difference in surgical outcomes between traditional standards of SOZ localization and rs-fMRI with ICA. We believe that rs-fMRI could be a step forward in this search. Further investigation comparing rs-fMRI to traditional methods of SOZ localization should be conducted, with the hope of moving toward relying solely on noninvasive screening methods.

The North-Eastern part of India contains seven states out of which, Assam is the major producer of arecanut. An attempt was made to study the impact of arecanut based multiple cropping system with proper utilization of recyclable resources on the long-term sustainability of acid soil at Kahikuchi. A long term arecanut based High-Density Multispecies Cropping System garden comprised of two models viz., Model-1 (M1): arecanut (Areca catechu), black pepper (Piper nigrum), banana (Musa spp.), citrus (Citrus limon) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Model-2 (M2): arecanut, black pepper, banana, citrus and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) as component crops was used. Both the models were sub-divided into three treatments viz., Full dose of recommended fertiliser (T1), 2/3rd of the recommended dose (T2) and 1/3rd of the recommended dose (T3) combined with treatment-wise recycling available biomass in the form of vermicompost and each treatment was replicated thrice. The results indicated that the quantity of recyclable biomass generated ranged between 8.27 to 12.23 t ha-1 year-1 and 8.11 to 12.38 t ha-1 year-1 in model-1 and model-2, respectively and revealed that the T2 treatment in both models improved the soil properties with respect to soil pH, organic carbon, available N, P and K status. Economics of the cropping system revealed that the maximum return was obtained from both Models under T2. The average benefit:cost ratio of T1, T2 & T3 was 3.38, 4.42 & 3.47 under model-1 and 3.34, 4.08 and 3.40 under model-2, respectively. Sustenance of soil pH above 5.0 over the years in the arecanut rhizosphere in both the models were found under T2, but T1 and T3 treatments showed a slow declining of pH towards increasing soil acidity.

Rapid declination of fossil fuel and environmental pollution is a matter of concern for modern society. A substantial part of these fuels is used for generation of power. Thus, conservation of electricity can slow down the decaying of these fuels, expenditure of money and environmental pollution. Educational institutes are one of the leading consumers of power. There are a lot of opportunities by which electricity in institutes can be preserved. This study explores and analyzes building-wise and equipment-wise energy consumption during the summer season in a typical institute located in the north-eastern part of India. The possibilities of curbing electricity, money, fossil fuel and the emission of greenhouse gas have also been investigated in the paper. It has emerged from the result that electric fans and lighting arrangements draw maximum electricity in summer. They devour 72.99% of the total energy used in the institute. Adoption of some simple methods for energy conservation can save 13,779.60 kWh of electricity and 35.39% of its bill per month. Thus, 3030.91 kg of natural gas can be retained and consequently, 15,114.88 kg of greenhouse gas can be prevented from emission.

A continuum mixture model is proposed for phase change of binary alloy including the effect of thermal anisotropy. Thermal anisotropy is incorporated by an additional departure source in the conven...

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of biochar on growth and yield of sesame. In the experiment, the treatment consisted of three varieties, viz., V1 = BARI Til- 2, V2 = BARI Til-3 and V3 = BARI Til-4, and five levels of biocharviz., B0= control (no biochar application), B1= 2 t ha-1, B2= 4 t ha-1, B3= 6 t ha-1 and B4= 8 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in two factors randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.Variety, application of different levels of biochar and their interaction showed statistically significant variation in plant height, number of leaves plant-1at 55 and 80 DAS and at harvest, capsules plant-1, seeds capsule-1, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, stover yield, biological yield and harvest index.The highest plant height (70.34, 110.95 and 109.84 cm at 55 and 80 DAS and at harvest respectively), number of leaves plant-1 (80.47, 116.70 and 94.54 at 55, 80 DAS and at harvest, respectively), number of branches plant-1 (3.60), capsules plant-1(80.47), number of seeds capsule-1(56.02),seed yield(1.07tha-1)andharvestindex(36.46%)were observed in the variety BARI Til-4 cultivated with the application of biochar @ 6 t ha-1 (V3*B3) and the lowest one was observed in variety BARI Til-2 with no biochar application (V1*B0).Biochar is effective for increasing growth and yield of sesame. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2019, 22(2): 113-127

Purpose One of the most common procedures in the pediatric population is the placement of a gastrostomy tube. There are significant medical, emotional, and social implications for both patients and caregivers. We hypothesized that socioeconomic status had a significant impact on gastrostomy complications. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed. Patient and census data including median household income, unemployment rate, health insurance status, poverty level, and caregiver education level were merged. Statistical tests were conducted against a 2-sided alternative hypothesis with a 0.05 significance level. Outcomes examined were minor and major complications in association with socioeconomic variables. Results Patients with mechanical complications were younger, weighed less, and had a 72% greater chance of having commercial insurance. Patients with Medicare/self-pay were three times more likely to have a minor complication. The average unemployment rate was 23% greater in families with a major complication. Individuals with a minor complication came from community tracts with a lower percentage of families below the poverty level. Conclusion An association between socioeconomic factors and gastrostomy complications was identified. Insurance status and employment status were more significant predictors than poverty level. Further work with variables for targeted interventions to provide specific family support will allow these children and families to thrive. Level of evidence Level II prognosis study.

Background: In modern radiotherapy techniques like IMRT, SRS, VMAT and SBRT, the uses of small fields have become very important. The practice of using ion chamber for small field sizes can cause uncertainty in dosimetry due to the lack of charge particle equilibrium, volume averaging effect and subsequently should not be used as a reference dosimeter, therefore special dosimeters are desiderated for small field dosimetry. The motive of this study is to compare dosimetric measurements of absorbed dose, output factor (OF), polarity correction factor (k pol ), ion recombination correction factor (k s ), D w (Z max ), D w (Z ref ) and Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) among three ionization chambers- Farmer (FC65-G), Semiflex (31010) and IBA Razor Nano. Methods: The measurements were all performed in a 60 Co teletherapy unit (Theratron Equinox100, S.N. 2149) in a 2D water phantom changing the field sizes from 1×1 cm 2 to 4×4 cm 2 . In this study, two dosimetric protocols (TRS-398, TRS-483) have been used. According to TRS-398, the absorbed dose to water for field sizes from 1 × 1 cm 2 to 4 × 4 cm 2 and reference field size 10 × 10 cm 2 have been measured. Also the PDD for field sizes (1×1 cm 2 to 4×4 cm 2 ) have been measured for three types of ionization chambers (Razor Nano, Farmer, Semiflex). Results: The variations of absorbed dose to water under reference condition (10×10 cm 2 field, 100 cm SSD at 5 cm depth) found about 5.85% in between Razor Nano and Farmer chamber and 4.64% in between Razor Nano and Semiflex. The k pol and k s were almost same for Semiflex & Farmer chamber, whereas for Razor Nano chamber k pol and k s values fluctuate with different field sizes. The deviation of output factor (OF) in respect to Razor Nano chamber had been observed much higher for Farmer chamber than the deviation of Semiflex. In case of PDD calculation, for different fields the average dose at reference depth (5 cm) for Razor Nano and Farmer was 68.23% and 65.74% respectively, but for Semiflex it was found 77.85%. The maximum dose (100%) was found between 0.5 cm and 0.6 cm for three ionization chambers for all radiation field sizes. Conclusion: There is no ideal detector with all of the features required for small field dosimetry. This study recommends combining different types of detectors rather than only one to collect the essential data, because each form of detector has its own limitations. The details of this measurement data are analyzed and summarized which will help to define small field dosimetry.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 6 million lives and continues to test the world economy and healthcare systems. To combat this pandemic, the biological research community has shifted efforts to the development of medical countermeasures, including vaccines and therapeutics. However, to date, the only small molecules approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in the United States are the nucleoside analogue Remdesivir and the protease inhibitor Paxlovid, though multiple compounds have received Emergency Use Authorization and many more are currently being tested in human efficacy trials. One such compound, Apilimod, is being considered as a COVID-19 therapeutic in a Phase II efficacy trial. However, at the time of writing, there are no published efficacy data in human trials or animal COVID-19 models. Here we show that, while Apilimod and other PIKfyve inhibitors have potent antiviral activity in various cell lines against multiple human coronaviruses, these compounds worsen disease in a COVID-19 murine model when given prophylactically or therapeutically.

The perinatal period is very critical as the embryo or the new born is more susceptible to Cd toxicity. This study was done to measure Cd levels in brain tissue of F1 and F2 generation mice whose mothers were exposed to Cd during lactation or during the entire period of gestation and lactation and also to investigate whether quercetin could modulate this effect. Dams were exposed to cadmium during lactation and during the entire perinatal period. F1 and F2 generations were reared till 100 days of age. After being sacrificed, their brains were extracted, and cadmium levels were estimated using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was found that Cd levels in brain tissue were significantly higher in the F1 generation when animals were exposed in lactation. There was slight increase in Cd in brain tissue of animals exposed during gestation as well as lactation, but the change was not statistically significant. Quercetin reduced the Cd levels significantly in a dose dependent manner in lactation group. In the other two groups it reduced the Cd levels even lower than the controls. This study shows that Cd is passed on to the next generation more efficiently when exposed during lactation. Lesser transmission is seen when exposure is during gestation followed by lactation. Quercetin effectively reduces Cd levels in brain tissue irrespective of the type of exposure.

Introduction/Objective Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with rearrangement of FGFR1 are uncommon and heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies that may present as myeloproliferative neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia, T or B lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, or mixed phenotypic acute leukemia. Patients can present with lymphadenopathy, mediastinal mass, or systemic symptoms. Eosinophilia is common in peripheral blood or bone marrow. Several chromosomal rearrangements and fusion genes have been described with FGFR1 rearrangement and all of them encode an aberrant tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors may offer a prospective therapeutic approach although specific targeted therapies have yet to be established. Methods/Case Report We present a case of a 14-year-old male who presented with rapid neck pain and swelling. Imaging revealed a 15 x 8 x 6 cm neck mass extending into the anterior mediastinum. Laboratory evaluation revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis (41.7 K/mm3), with absolute eosinophilia and blasts of 50%. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood demonstrated a population of T-lymphoblasts comprising about 60% of the cellularity with dim CD45, cytoplasmic CD3, CD7, TdT, CD38, CD4, CD5, CD10, and CD15, supporting T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. The patient received induction chemotherapy, and subsequent bone marrow biopsy showed morphologic remission. Six weeks from diagnosis, the patient developed a gluteal mass with an atypical T-cell infiltrate that was negative for TdT; and at 15 weeks from diagnosis, developed an enlarging abdominal mass, also with an atypical T-cell infiltrate also negative for TdT and CD1a. At that time molecular diagnostic studies of the abdominal wall mass discovered a previously unpublished ATG16L1-FGFR1 fusion, supporting myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm with FGFR1 rearrangement, T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA. Conclusion Although a variety of translocations have been identified with FGFR1 rearrangement, the novel fusion partner ATG16L1 has not been previously reported. The case also illustrates an unusual extramedullary recurrence of the T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma with significant antigenic shift including loss of TdT and CD1a.

OBJECTIVE Telemedicine can be an effective tool for the evaluation of the pediatric patient with a cranial deformity, but it increases the reliance of neurosurgical providers on data provided by patients and families. Family-acquired photographs, in particular, can be used to augment the evaluation of pediatric head shape abnormalities via telemedicine, but photographs of sufficient quality are necessary. Here, the authors systematically reviewed the quality and utility of family-acquired photographs for patients referred to their pediatric neurosurgery clinic for telemedicine-based head shape evaluations. METHODS All telemedicine encounters that were completed for head shape abnormalities at the authors’ institution between May 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Instructions were sent to families prior to each visit with examples of ideal photographs. Three orthogonal views of the patient’s head—frontal, lateral, and vertex—were requested. Data were collected regarding demographics, diagnosis, follow-up, and photograph quality. Quality variables included orthogonality of each requested view, appropriate distance, appropriate lighting, presence of distracting elements, and whether hair obscured the head shape. RESULTS Overall, 565 patients had 892 visits during the study period. A total of 1846 photograph requests were made, and 3335 photographs were received for 829 visits. Of 2676 requested orthogonal views, 1875 (70%) were received. Of these, 1826 (97%) had adequate lighting, 1801 (96%) had appropriate distance, and 1826 (97%) had no distracting features. Hair did not obscure the head shape on the vertex view in 557 visits with orthogonal vertex views (82%). In-person follow-up was requested for further medical evaluation in 40 visits (5%). CONCLUSIONS The family-acquired photographs in this series demonstrated high rates of adequate lighting and distance, without distracting features. Lack of orthogonality and obscuration of the head shape by hair, however, were more common issues. Family education prior to the visit may improve the quality of family-acquired photographs but requires an investment of time by medical staff. Efforts to further improve photographic quality will facilitate efforts to perform craniometric evaluations through telemedicine visits.

Inhibition of PIKfyve phosphoinositide kinase selectively kills autophagy-dependent cancer cells by disrupting lysosome homeostasis. Here, we show that PIKfyve inhibitors can also selectively eliminate pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs), embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells under conditions where differentiated cells remain viable. PIKfyve inhibitors prevented lysosome fission, induced autophagosome accumulation, and reduced cell proliferation in both pluripotent and differentiated cells, but they induced death only in pluripotent cells. The ability of PIKfyve inhibitors to distinguish between pluripotent and differentiated cells was confirmed with xenografts derived from ECCs. Pretreatment of ECCs with the PIKfyve specific inhibitor WX8 suppressed their ability to form teratocarcinomas in mice, and intraperitoneal injections of WX8 into mice harboring teratocarcinoma xenografts selectively eliminated pluripotent cells. Differentiated cells continued to proliferate, but at a reduced rate. These results provide a proof of principle that PIKfyve specific inhibitors can selectively eliminate pluripotent stem cells in vivo as well as in vitro.

SARS-COV2 has emerged as the second biggest threat to humanity of all times, after the Spanish Flu massacre. Due to its brisk rate of mutation, especially that of the host receptor docking Spike protein, a safe immunization is still questioned by some, and protection or recovery has been dependent largely on immune system competence and overall bio-constitutional strength. In order to ensure optimal performance of the body’s immune cells, proper nutrition fortified with functional food ingredients is indispensable. Especially in a scenario where targeted therapeutics against life threatening pandemics like SARS-CoV2 are yet to be invented, formulation of dietary supplements rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is the need of the hour to promote greater immuno-competence and a heightened immune response; decrease the overall metabolic burden; and restore homeostasis in an infected individual. This review highlights our current understanding and advances made in the regimen of functional foods designed to combat viral diseases together with the shortcomings involved therein.

The superior frontal gyrus (SFG) is an important region implicated in a variety of tasks including motor movement, working memory, resting-state, and cognitive control. A detailed understanding of the subcortical white matter of the SFG could improve postoperative morbidity related to surgery around this gyrus. Through DSI-based fiber tractography validated by gross anatomical dissection, we characterized the fiber tracts of the SFG based on their relationships to other well-known neuroanatomic structures. Diffusion imaging from the Human Connectome Project from 10 healthy adult subjects was used for fiber tractography. We evaluated the SFG as a whole based on its connectivity with other regions. All tracts were mapped in both hemispheres, and a lateralization index was calculated based on resultant tract volumes. Ten cadaveric dissections were then performed using a modified Klingler technique to delineate the location of major tracts integrated within the SFG. We identified four major SFG connections: the frontal aslant tract connecting to the inferior frontal gyrus; the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus connecting to the cuneus, lingual gyrus, and superior parietal lobule; the cingulum connecting to the precuneus and parahippocampal gyrus/uncus; and a callosal fiber bundle connecting the SFG bilaterally. The functional networks of the SFG involve a complex series of white matter tracts integrated within the gyrus, including the FAT, IFOF, cingulum, and callosal fibers. Postsurgical outcomes related to this region may be better understood in the context of the fiber-bundle anatomy highlighted in this study. Clin. Anat. 33:823-832, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction: Laparoscopic appendectomy is the gold standard for treatment of acute appendicitis. The single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) approach has gained widespread acceptance. This study evaluates the learning curve of contemporarily trained surgeons adopting SILS appendectomy and, more specifically, the safety of the operation during the early phase of this learning curve. Methods: A retrospective review of 974 consecutive pediatric patients younger than 18 years of age, who underwent an appendectomy at a single institution from 2005 to 2018, was performed. Nonperforated and perforated appendicitis cases were included. A subgroup analysis was performed on SILS appendectomy. Outcomes measured included length of operating room and anesthesia time, as well as complication rate. A log-logistics and a Loess smoothing model were used. Results: A total of 438 single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies were reviewed. A trend toward faster operative times was observed for all surgeons as case numbers increased. The odds of still being operated on decreased by 0.997 for each additional case. Based on a 95% confidence band and this experienced time as the standard, we expect adopting surgeons to reach this experienced level after 51 cases. During the early SILS appendectomy learning curve, there was no significant difference in complication rate compared with multiport laparoscopy. Conclusion: As expected, the more single-incision cases were performed, the shorter the operative times. More importantly, there was no increase in complication rate during the learning stage of single-incision appendectomies in either perforated or nonperforated appendicitis.

The mobile phone is no longer just a communication device, but also an essential part of people’s entertainment and daily life. Now android system in the electronics market is becoming more and more popular, especially in the smartphone market. The most popular smartphone application is games followed by listening to music, watching videos, communicating with social media, exploring photos, taking selfies, etc. Mobile apps also become more popular than desktop computer-based software. The mobile phone is used for different purposes activities from simple communication to video conferencing, from playing games to the utilization of apps for day to day life. Since Mobile networks reach every corner of Bangladesh, it is now a potential time to use the mobile phone for providing need-based information to the farming communities for their benefit. Since Bangladesh is an agriculture-based country and most of the farming communities subsist in the northern part of Bangladesh. It was found that Nilphamari (Northern district of Bangladesh) suitable area for providing benefits to the farming communities by developing a mobile app. The researchers chose the disease identification and their’ management for the Maize crop as Maize is the 3rd most common in that area. This paper mainly discussed two sections; 1. The application interface in the Bengali language with multimodal function; text, voice with the local language, and images; 2. Feedback from the users about the app. It was found that most of the end-users were able to properly identify the diseases and manage them well.

The onset of inflammation takes place in a human body due to an injury or infection during which the tissue becomes inflamed/reddened, swollen, hot, and painful. Basically, it is a collection of host defenses that occurs during an injury and infection in which the white blood cells protect the body from infection from bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses. Innate immunity provides the first challenging defense against the diverse foreign harmful invaders, while adaptive immunity, also known as acquired immunity, utilizes specialized immune cells and antibodies, which provide a counterattack and destroy these diverse foreign invaders. Moreover, they can prevent infections/diseases in the future by recognizing those invaders and providing a new immune response. However, when an immune system responds too aggressively to an infection, a condition termed a cytokine storm takes place, which may lead to multi-organ failure and even death. Inflammatory response in advancing age and obesity is intricately associated. Obesity has been identified as a low-grade systemic inflammatory response. Particularly, elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and leptin, well characterized biomarkers of inflammation, are observed predominantly in obese individuals.

In the present study, an attempted has been done to explain the non-linear inter-relationships between lightning and its various controlling factors. It has been demonstrated both physically and statistically how an enhanced aerosol loading leads to formation of smaller ice radii which drastically decreases the cloud electrification processes especially over the land regions where ice forming dust aerosols are much more abundant. Accordingly, this relationship has been utilized on global model simulations to reveal a further intensification of lightning radiance efficiencies in the marine environments and a relative dimming in land regions based on prevalent aerosol concentrations in future decades which may be alarming for policy makers.

In this paper, the variation of oxides, aerosols and atmospheric parameters have been investigated before, during and after the lockdown period due to COVID 19 over Kolkata, a populated metropolitan city. Major reductions have been observed for CO, SO 2 and AOD especially at the beginning month of the lockdown period. The lower value of SO 2 are reflected in the minima of AOD which further result in a marked reduction in the atmospheric instability. In addition, the temperature profiles depict atmospheric cooling at 700 hPa due to lockdown which is also believed to have some additional contribution on the observed CAPE reduction.