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Amaranthus hybridus L. is known to have highly rich nutritional properties, having high content of protein, calcium, folic acid and vitamin C. Therefore, it is considered as an agriculturally efficient crop. Because of its impressive nutritional and agricultural properties Amaranthus was included as one of the 36 most potential crops by World Health Organization in 1975 (Bhattacharjcc, 2007). Alternaria alternata was isolated as a dominant fungal pathogen from its leaves, damaging the crop to a greater extent. The leaves extracts of four angiospermic plants, viz., Cassia fistula, Annona squamosa, Bauhinia variegata and Aegle marmelos were tested in vitro against A. alternata in both semisolid & broth media. Annona squamosa extract was found to be the most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of A. alternata, whereas Cassia fistula extract was least effective amongst the selected angiospermic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study Euphorbia coagulum - Banana fiber composites were prepared with varying weight % of untreated and alkali treated banana fibers. The mechanical properties, morphology and bio-degradability of the developed composites were studied. Results show that the water absorption of the composite increased with increasing fiber content and was less for the composites prepared with the treated fiber. The void content of the composite decreases from the fiber content 40% to 50% but increased at 55% fiber loading. The mechanical properties of the composites enhanced with the increase in the fiber content from 40% to 50% but deterioted at 55% fiber loading. Improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites was observed when alkali treated banana fiber was used. Morphology of the surface of the composites with different fiber ratio shows poor dispersion of fibers at 55% fiber loading and morphology of the longitudinal section of the composite prepared with untreated and treated fiber shows improvement in the dispersion of fiber in the Euphorbia coagulum matrix when alkali treated banana fiber used at fiber content 50%. The biodegradability study shows that it possesses high degree of biodegradation properties. Thus Euphorbia latex can be used for the development of bio-degradable composites from nonwood renewable resources which can be used as eco-friendly wood substitute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimTo determine the association between pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) among age-related cataract.SettingIladevi Cataract and IOL Research Center, Ahmedabad, India.Material and methodsAn observational age-matched case-control study of 160 patients over 60 years of age with age-related cataract. A total of 40 subjects with PEX (cases) were compared with 120 subjects with cataract but without PEX (controls). A detailed medical history, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular stroke and ischaemic heart disease, was recorded. Ankle brachial index (ABI) was used to determine the risk of PVD among age-related cataract patients. Color Doppler imaging was performed on the brachial and dorsalis pedis artery to measure ABI and detect PVD. Least mean ABI was the main outcome measure, as low ABI indicates higher risk for PVD. The lowest mean ABI was measured for each subject. An ABI ratio of <0.90 was considered abnormal. The Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression were used for analysis.ResultsThe lowest mean ABI in the controls was 0.98±0.03 (SD; a range of 0.86-1.08) as compared with 0.88±0.02 (SD) among the cases (a range of 0.79-0.92; P<0.001). When compared with controls, cases had a lower ABI (P<0.001) irrespective of the presence or absence of systemic illness. On multiple regression analysis adjusting for systemic illness, the presence of PEX increased the odds of a low ABI group 150 times (P<0.001).ConclusionSubjects with cataract and PEX had a significantly lower ABI as compared with controls (cataracts without PEX). PEX is associated with and may be a risk factor for PVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the authors have been developing novel fluoride-releasing dental composites containing ternary zirconium fluoride chelates. The aim of this study was to improve the physical and mechanical properties of these composites by improving the formulation of the monomers and photoinitiators. The hypothesis was that reduction of hydrophilic monomers and improvement of the photoinitiators could reduce water sorption and significantly increase the mechanical properties of the composite. The degree of conversion of the composites containing different compositions of photoinitiators was studied by Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy (FT-NIR). Ten experimental composites containing different compositions of ethoxylated bisphenol-A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA), 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), and 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane (BisGMA) were tested for flexural strength, viscosity, and water sorption. The experimental composite containing 20% synthesized fluoride-releasing monomer, 30% BisGMA, 30% EBPADMA, and 20% HDDMA showed significantly higher fluoride release and recharge, but physical and mechanical properties similar to those of the control composite containing 40% BisGMA, 40% EBPADMA, and 20% HDDMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a feasibility study in using two Indian bamboo species' fibers for manufacturing hygiene pads or sanitary napkins including Oxytenanthera stocksii and Bambusa bambos. The study found out that the fibers of bamboo when undergo processes including digestion of bamboo chips allow fibers to develop properties such as absorbency and water retention that are essential for hygiene pads. Bleaching of bamboo fibers also produce aesthetic quality similar to hygiene pads.

A sample of 91 adult Philippinos, 45 males and 46 females, were selected for maxillary arch measurements. The intercanine width (C-C), intermolar width (M-M), molar incisor (M-I) and molar canine (M-C) length were measured. The measurements were compared to previous studies of maxillary arch dimensions for adult male and female Egyptians and Saudi Arabians. The results showed wider (M-M) measurements for the Egyptians than for the Philippinos, who also showed wider (C-C) arch dimensions than the Saudi Arabians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the abstracts of several papers on economics published in the April-June 1965 issue of the "Indian Economic Journal." Some of the articles presented in the journal are: Keynesian Monetary Theory and the Developing Countries," by Anthony Bottomley; "An Empirical Estimate of the Elasticity of Substitution Production Function," by R.K. Diwan; "A Note on the Choice of Surplus-Maximising Technique," by J.C. Saigal; "Taxation and the Changes in Income Distribution," by Mahfooz Ahmad; and "On Throwing the Baby Away With the Bath-Water--An Essay in the Defense of Keynesism in Relation to the Underdeveloped Countries," by Ashok Mathur. The monetary theories of Maynard Keynes are remembered and admired in even the most backward countries. But they must be treated with considerable reservation by students of poverty and under-employment throughout the Third World. In the third article, J.C. Saigal attempts to derive the long-term surplus-maximising technique by the use of Sraffa-Neumann process analysis.

There are outbreaks of dengue every year in India. They vary in the predominant serotype involved, clinical features and predominant laboratory findings. This study of the 2006 outbreak in Delhi highlights clinical features and laboratory parameters of dengue cases and compares the clinical features among the adult and paediatric age groups. The 2006 outbreak had higher bleeding manifestations and a greater involvement of the adult male population than in previous outbreaks. No correlation was observed between platelet count and different bleeding manifestations until they dropped <20,000 per μL. Few patients developed a florid picture before seroconversion, highlighting a greater stress on the haematological rather than immunological profile of such patients. Atypical symptoms, such as diarrhoea, menorrhagia and seizures were often the presenting complaints rather than the typical clinical features of dengue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of intracameral preservative-free 1% xylocaine on the corneal endothelium as an adjuvant to topical anaesthesia during phacoemulsification and Acrysof foldable IOL implantation. Material & Methods: This is a prospective, controlled, randomised, double-masked study. 106 patients with soft to moderately dense (Grade 1-3) senile cataract and corneal endothelial cell density of >1500/mm2 were randomised to the xylocaine group (n=53) and control group(n=53). Central endothelial specular microscopy and ultrasound corneal pachymetry were performed preoperatively. On the first postoperative day the eyes were evaluated for corneal oedema and Descemet′s folds. Ultrasound corneal pachymetry was performed at 1, 3 and 12 months. Specular microscopy was performed at 3 and 12 months. Cell loss was expressed as a percentage of preoperative cell density. Six patients could not complete one year follow-up. Chi-square and paired t test (2 tail) statistical tests were applied for analysis. Results: Four (7.54%) patients in the xylocaine group and 5 (9.43%) in the control group had a few Descemet′s folds associated with mild central stromal oedema. Corneal thickness increased from 549.3µ ± 37.2µ to 555.5µ ± 36.5µ in the xylocaine group and from 553.1µ ± 36.2µ to 559.3µ ± 40.5µ in the control group at the one-month postoperative visit. Thickness returned to the preoperative level in xylocaine group 549.6µ ± 34.5µ and control group 554.7µ ± 41.1µ at three months. (P=0.484) The percentage of cell loss was 4.47 ± 2.53% in the xylocaine group and 4.49 ± 3.09 % in the control group at one year. (P=0.97) Conclusion: Intracameral preservative-free 1% xylocaine does not appear to affect corneal endothelium adversely during phacoemulsification.

Vancomycin is one of the “last-line” classes of antibiotics used in the treatment of life-threatening infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Even though vancomycin was discovered in the 1950s, it was widely used after the 1980s for the treatment of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, as the prevalence of these strains were increased. However, it is currently evident that vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci have developed for various reasons, including the use of avaparcin—an analog of vancomycin—as a feed additive in livestock. Therefore, prophylactic and empiric use of antibiotics and their analogues need to be minimized. Herein we discuss the rational use of vancomycin in treating humans, horses, farm animals, and pet animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits. In present day context, more attention should be paid to the prevention of the emergence of resistance to antibiotics in order to maintain their efficacy. In order to prevent emergence of resistance, proper guidance for the responsible use of antimicrobials is indispensable. Therefore, almost all stakeholders who use antibiotics should have an in-depth understanding of the antibiotic that they use. As such, it is imperative to be aware of the important aspects of vancomycin. In the present review, efforts have been made to discuss the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, indications, emergence of resistance, control of resistance, adverse effects, and alternative therapy for vancomycin.

Oxalis corniculata L. is a medicinally important plant. Its medicinal usage is reported in different traditional system of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani & Sidha. It possesses important activities like antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, antihelmic, anti inflammatory, reported by Ashwin Kumar et al (2012). In Chhattisgarh, Oxalis corniculata L. popularly known as Tinpania bhaaji it is being consumed as a leafy vegetable crop by the local masses. A periodic survey was made to collect the infected leaves of O. Corniculata L. for pathological investigations. Cladosporium herbarum isolated as fungal pathogen showed large dark brown necrotics spots.. The pure cultures were maintained on PDA slants for further studies. Herbs and herbal extract have been used as medicine since the beginning of human civilization. People have great faith on them for their effectiveness and their inherent medicinal properties Four Angiospermic plant extract such as Cassia fistula, Annona Squamosa, Bauhinia variegata, Aegle Marmelos were tested in vitro against Cladosporium herbarum for the solid and broth media both. Aegle marmelos extract was found most effective in inhibiting the mycelia growth of Cladosporium herbarum where as Cassia fistula extract was least effective. The presence of antifungal compounds, in higher plants, has long been recognized as an important factor in disease resistance Mahadevan, (1982). Such compounds, being biodegradable and selective in their toxicity, are considered valuable for controlling some plant diseases (Singh and Dwivedi, 1987). Based on the findings of this study, there are great potentials in the control of fungal diseases using naturally occurring substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vestibular Neuronitis / Peripheral Vestibulopathy is a relatively common condition characterized by an acute attack of vertigo lasting for days to weeks. It is often associated initially with vomiting, sweating and the person may be unable to even sit, leave alone stand or walk. They often land up in an ICU with the suspicion of a cardiac event. There is usually no pain, tinnitus or deafness to point to the ear, It needs to be distinguished from a cerebellar or brainstem stroke. Methods: We analyzed 35 patients of vestibular neuronitis admitted to our hospital over the last 3 years. All of them were assessed neurologically, including cerebellar signs, vestibular testing, including Romberg's test, Fukuda test, dynamic visual acuity and head impulse test and also by using Videonystagmography (VNG). Most patients also underwent MRI and audiometry. Over the last one year or so, we have been using high dose steroids in this disorder with encouraging results. Results: We found that the diagnosis of vestibular neuronitis could be made confidently in over 80-90% of cases, using the pattern of nystagmus, Romberg's test and other clinical features. The head impulse test was positive in almost all of the cases. VNG was of considerable use in confirming the pattern of nystagmus and was diagnostic in >90% of cases. In last one year we used Methyl Prednisolone for the treatment of this disorder. It was observed that there was a faster rate of recovery in these patients. Conclusions: Head Impulse test is a very accurate test helping to differentiate Peripheral Vestibulopathy from stroke. VNG is a very useful diagnostic aid for Peripheral Vestibulopathy. Use of Methyl Prednisolone hastens the recovery from this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fibrosis (LF) occurs when the liver tissue responds to injury or inflammation by producing excessive amounts of scar tissue, known as the extracellular matrix. This buildup stiffens the liver tissue, hinders blood flow, and ultimately impairs liver function. Various factors can trigger this process, including bloodborne pathogens, genetic predisposition, alcohol abuse, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While some existing small-molecule therapies offer limited benefits, there is a pressing need for more effective treatments that can truly cure LF. RNA therapeutics have emerged as a promising approach, as they can potentially downregulate cytokine levels in cells responsible for liver fibrosis. Researchers are actively exploring various RNA-based therapeutics, such as mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and oligonucleotides, to assess their efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, targeted drug delivery systems hold immense potential in this field. By utilizing lipid nanoparticles, exosomes, nanocomplexes, micelles, and polymeric nanoparticles, researchers aim to deliver therapeutic agents directly to specific biomarkers or cytokines within the fibrotic liver, increasing their effectiveness and reducing side effects. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of liver fibrosis, its underlying causes, and the promising potential of RNA-based therapeutics and targeted delivery systems. Continued research in these areas could lead to the development of more effective and personalized treatment options for LF patients., (© 2024. Controlled Release Society.)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting nearly 105,000 patients worldwide and is characterized by poor respiratory function due to accumulation of thick mucus in the lungs, which not just acts as a physical barrier, but also provides a breeding ground for bacterial infections. These infections can be controlled with the help of antibiotics which can be delivered directly into the lungs for amplifying the local anti-bacterial effect. More than 50 % of CF patients are associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in their lungs which requires antibiotics such as Aztreonam (AZT). In this study, we prepared inhalable AZT-loaded lipid nanoparticles using Hot-melt extrusion (HME) coupled with probe sonication to target Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the lungs. The optimized nanoparticles were tested for physicochemical properties, stability profile, in-vitro aerosolization, and antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The optimized nanoparticles with a PEI concentration of 0.1 % demonstrated a uniform particle size of <50 nm, a spherical shape observed under a transmission electron microscope, and >70 % drug entrapment. Incorporating cationic polymer, PEI, resulted in sustained drug release from the lipid nanoparticles. The in-vitro aerosolization studies exhibited a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of <4.3 μm, suggesting deposition of the nanoparticles in the respirable airway. The antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the minimum inhibitory concentration of the formulation is 2-fold lower than plain AZT. Stability profile showed the formulations are stable after exposure to accelerated conditions. In conclusion, hot-melt extrusion in combination with probe sonication can be used as a potential method for the continuous production of AZT-loaded lipid nanoparticles with enhanced anti-bacterial activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease with a high mortality rate due to limited treatment options. Current therapies cannot effectively reverse the damage caused by IPF. Research suggests that promoting programmed cell death (apoptosis) in myofibroblasts, the key cells driving fibrosis, could be a promising strategy. However, inducing apoptosis in healthy cells like epithelial and endothelial cells can cause unwanted side effects. This project addresses this challenge by developing a targeted approach to induce apoptosis specifically in myofibroblasts. We designed liposomes (LPS) decorated with peptides that recognize VCAM-1, a protein highly expressed on myofibroblasts in fibrotic lungs. These VCAM1-targeted LPS encapsulate Venetoclax (VNT), a small molecule drug that inhibits BCL-2, an anti-apoptotic protein. By delivering VNT directly to myofibroblasts, we hypothesize that VCAM1-VNT-LPS can selectively induce apoptosis in these cells, leading to reduced fibrosis and improved lung function. We successfully characterized VCAM1-VNT-LPS for size, surface charge, and drug loading efficiency. Additionally, we evaluated their stability over three months at different temperatures. In vitro and in vivo studies using a bleomycin-induced mouse model of lung fibrosis demonstrated the therapeutic potential of VCAM1-VNT-LPS. These studies showed a reduction in fibrosis-associated proteins (collagen, α-SMA, VCAM1) and BCL-2, while simultaneously increasing apoptosis in myofibroblasts. These findings suggest that VCAM1-targeted delivery of BCL-2 inhibitors using liposomes presents a promising and potentially selective therapeutic approach for IPF., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Continuous and aberrant activation of myofibroblasts is the hallmark of pathological fibrosis (e.g., abnormal wound healing). The deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) components alters or increases the stiffness of tissue and primarily accounts for multiple organ dysfunctions. Among various proteins, Cadherin-11 (CDH11) has been reported to be overexpressed on myofibroblasts in fibrotic tissues. Anti-apoptotic proteins such as (B cell lymphoma-2) (BCL-2) are also upregulated on myofibroblasts. Therefore, we hypothesize that CDH11 could be a targeted domain for cell-specific drug delivery and targeted inhibition of BCL-2 to ameliorate the development of fibrosis in the skin. To prove our hypothesis, we have developed liposomes (LPS) conjugated with CDH11 neutralizing antibody (antiCDH11) to target cell surface CDH11 and loaded these LPS with a BCL-2 inhibitor, Navitoclax (NAVI), to induce apoptosis of CDH11 expressing fibroblasts. The developed LPS were evaluated for physicochemical characterization, stability, in vitro therapeutic efficacy using dermal fibroblasts, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy in bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis model in mice. The findings from in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that selectivity of LPS was improved towards CDH11 expressing myofibroblasts, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy with no indication of adverse effects. Hence, this novel research work represents a versatile LPS strategy that exhibits promising potential for treating skin fibrosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Trigonocephaly is a craniofacial malformation caused by premature fusion of the metopic suture. Surgical correction frequently results in the need for blood transfusion. Transfusion complications include transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), immune-mediated reactions, and volume overload. Donor exposure (DE) describes the number of blood products from unique donors with increasing DE equating to an increased risk of TTI. We evaluate data on 204 trigonocephaly patients covering 20 years of practice with respect to blood transfusions and DE. This represents the largest series from a single unit to date. A protocol based on our experiences has been devised that summarizes the key interventions we recommend to minimize blood transfusions and DE in craniofacial surgery. Patients operated on between 2000 and 2020 were included. DE and a range of values were calculated including estimated red cell loss (ERCL) and estimated red cell volume transfused (ERCVT). Groups were established by relevant interventions and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Mean DE fell from 1.46 at baseline to 0.85 ( P <0.05). Median allogenic transfusion volume fell from 350 mL at baseline to 250 mL ( P <0.05). Median ERCL fell from 15.05 mL/kg at baseline to 12.39 mL/kg and median ERCVT fell from 20.85 to 15.98 mL/kg. Changes in ERCL and ERCVT did not reach statistical significance. DE can be minimized with the introduction of key interventions such as a restrictive transfusion policy, preoperative iron, cell saver, tranexamic acid, and use of a matchstick burr for osteotomies., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive, and life-threatening interstitial lung disease which causes scarring in the lung parenchyma and thereby affects architecture and functioning of lung. It is an irreversible damage to lung functioning which is related to epithelial cell injury, immense accumulation of immune cells and inflammatory cytokines, and irregular recruitment of extracellular matrix. The inflammatory cytokines trigger the differentiation of fibroblasts into activated fibroblasts, also known as myofibroblasts, which further increase the production and deposition of collagen at the injury sites in the lung. Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with PF, there is no available treatment that efficiently and effectively treats the disease by reversing their underlying pathologies. In recent years, many therapeutic regimens, for instance, rho kinase inhibitors, Smad signaling pathway inhibitors, p38, BCL-xL/ BCL-2 and JNK pathway inhibitors, have been found to be potent and effective in treating PF, in preclinical stages. However, due to non-selectivity and non-specificity, the therapeutic molecules also result in toxicity mediated severe side effects. Hence, this review demonstrates recent advances on PF pathology, mechanism and targets related to PF, development of various drug delivery systems based on small molecules, RNAs, oligonucleotides, peptides, antibodies, exosomes, and stem cells for the treatment of PF and the progress of various therapeutic treatments in clinical trials to advance PF treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, and apatite calcifications, the three main crystal disorders, may involve the spine. These disorders can be completely asymptomatic or associated with various clinical symptoms, such as acute flares and more chronic manifestations. This article presents the typical and more unusual imaging features encountered in these disorders., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) for decreasing the incidence of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)., Background: Despite encouraging results in small studies, an appropriately powered RCT on ILR has not been performed., Methods: Women undergoing ALND for breast cancer were randomized in the operating room 1:1 to either ILR, if technically feasible, or no ILR (control). The ILR group underwent lymphatic anastomosis to a regional vein using microsurgical techniques; control group had no repair and cut lymphatics were ligated. Relative volume change (RVC), bioimpedance, quality of life (QoL), and compression use were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months postoperatively up to 24 months. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was performed at baseline and 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the incidence of BCRL, defined as ≥10% RVC from baseline in the affected extremity at 12-, 18-, or 24-month follow-up., Results: Of 72 patients randomized to ILR and 72 to control from January 2020 to March 2023, our preliminary analysis includes 99 patients with 12-month follow-up, 70 with 18-month follow-up, and 40 with 24-month follow-up. The cumulative incidence of BCRL was 9.5% in the ILR group and 32% in the control group ( P =0.014). The ILR group had lower bioimpedance values, decreased compression usage, better lymphatic function on ICG lymphography, and better QoL than the control group., Conclusions: Preliminary results of our RCT show that ILR after ALND decreases BCRL incidence. Our goal is to finish the accrual of 174 patients with 24-month follow-up., Competing Interests: B.M. is the recipient of investigator-initiated research awards from Regeneron Corp and Pfizer and royalty payments from PureTech and is a consultant with Mediflix Corp. J.D. is an advisor to Stryker Corporation, is on the board of Welwaze Medical LLC, and has a royalty agreement with Springer publishers for the book, Multimodal Treatment of Upper and Lower Extremity Lymphedema. The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Solid tumors are abnormal mass of tissue, which affects the organs based on its malignancy and leads to the dysfunction of the affected organs. The major problem associated with treatment of solid tumors is delivering anticancer therapeutics to the deepest layers/core of the solid tumor. Deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) hinders the therapeutics to travel towards the core of the tumor. Therefore, conventional anticancer therapeutics can only reduce the tumor size and that also for a limited duration, and tumor recurrence occurs once the therapy is discontinued. Additionally, by the time the cancer is diagnosed, the cancer cells already started affecting the major organs of the body such as lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain, due to their ability to metastasize and lung is the primary site for them to be infiltrated. To facilitate the anticancer therapeutics to penetrate the deeper layers of tumor, and to provide concurrent treatment of both the solid tumor and metastasis, we have designed and developed a Bimodal Light Assisted Skin Tumor and Metastasis Treatment (BLAST), which is a combination of photothermal and chemotherapeutic moieties. The BLAST is composed of 2D boron nitride (BN) nanosheet with adsorbed molecules of BCL-2 inhibitor, Navitoclax (NAVI) on its surface, that can breakdown excessive ECM network and thereby facilitate dissociation of the solid tumor. The developed BLAST was evaluated for its ability to penetrate solid tumors using 3D spheroids for the uptake, cytotoxicity, growth inhibition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, penetration, and downregulation of proteins upon laser irradiation. The in vivo therapeutic studies on a skin cancer mice model revealed that the BLAST with and without laser were able to penetrate the solid tumor, reduce tumor volume in mice, dissociate the protein network, and prevent lung metastasis as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Post analysis of serum and blood components revealed the safety and efficacy of BLAST in mice. Hence, the developed BLAST holds strong promise in solid tumor treatment and metastasis prevention simultaneously., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Md Nurunnabi serves as Scientific Advisory Board member for KB BioMed Inc., and Filament LLC (Dunatech), and owns equity for DunaTech LLC. Md Nurunnabi and Himanshu Bhatt is an inventor on patents related to the tools and methods reported in this manuscript (owned and managed by University of Texas at El Paso)., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pseudoaneurysms are frequent vascular anomalies. This review article aims to describe the unique specific aspect of pseudoaneurysm (PSA) that allows to make the diagnosis using different modalities: colour Doppler ultrasound, computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and conventional angiography. It is essential to know the various aetiologies of PSA: iatrogenic, traumatic, dissecting and anastomotic; different locations and the possible complications, information to help clinicians choose the best treatment. Our review is supported by illustrated series of cases., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare and were not recipients of research funding relevant to this study., (© 2023 Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.)

The oral route is considered the most convenient route of drug administration for both systemic and local delivery. Besides stability and transportation, another unmet but important issue regarding oral medication is retention duration within the specific region of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We hypothesize that an oral vehicle that can adhere and maintain retention within the stomach for a longer duration can be more effective to treat stomach-related diseases. Therefore, in this project, we developed a carrier that is highly specific to the stomach and maintains its retention for a longer duration. We developed a vehicle composed of β- G lucan A nd D ocosahexaenoic A cid ( GADA ) to observe its affinity and specificity to the stomach. GADA forms a spherical-shaped particle with negative zeta potential values that vary based on the feed ratio of docosahexaenoic acid. Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 fatty acid that has transporters and receptors throughout the GI tract, such as CD36, plasma membrane-associated fatty acid-binding protein (FABP (pm)), and a family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATP1-6). The in vitro studies and characterization data showed that GADA has the capability to carry a payload of hydrophobic molecules and specifically deliver the payload to the GI tract, exert its therapeutic effects, and help to maintain stability for more than 12 h in the gastric and intestinal fluid. The particle size and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) data showed that GADA has a strong binding affinity with mucin in the presence of simulated gastric fluids. We observed a comparatively higher drug release of lidocaine in gastric juice than that in intestinal fluids, demonstrating the influence of the pH values of the media on drug-release kinetics. In vivo and ex vivo imaging of mice demonstrated that GADA maintains its retention within the stomach for at least 4 hr. This stomach-specific oral vehicle holds strong promise to translate various injectable therapeutic drugs to oral form upon further optimizations.

Anatomical variants are frequently encountered when assessing the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) using magnetic resonance imaging. When not located in the weight-bearing part of the SIJ, variants associated with structural and edematous changes can be misinterpreted as sacroiliitis. Their correct identification is necessary to avoid radiologic pitfalls. This article reviews five SIJ variants involved in the dorsal ligamentous space (accessory SIJ, iliosacral complex, semicircular defect, bipartite iliac bony plate, and crescent iliac bony plate) and three SIJ variants involved in the cartilaginous part of the SIJ (posterior dysmorphic SIJ, isolated synostosis, and unfused ossification centers)., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Over the last decades, photomedicine has made a significant impact and progress in treating superficial cancer. With tremendous efforts many of the technologies have entered clinical trials. Photothermal agents (PTAs) have been considered as emerging candidates for accelerating the outcome from photomedicine based cancer treatment. Besides various inorganic and organic candidates, 2D materials such as graphene, boron nitride, and molybdenum disulfide have shown significant potential for photothermal therapy (PTT). The properties such as high surface area to volume, biocompatibility, stability in physiological media, ease of synthesis and functionalization, and high photothermal conversion efficiency have made 2D nanomaterials wonderful candidates for PTT to treat cancer. The targeting or localized activation could be achieved when PTT is combined with chemotherapies, immunotherapies, or photodynamic therapy (PDT) to provide better outcomes with fewer side effects. Though significant development has been made in the field of phototherapeutic drugs, several challenges have restricted the use of PTT in clinical use and hence they have not yet been tested in large clinical trials. In this review, we attempted to discuss the progress, properties, applications, and challenges of 2D materials in the field of PTT and their application in photomedicine.

Background and Aims: This study intended to analyse the effectiveness of compression-only life support cardiopulmonary resuscitation (COLS CPR) training based on training knowledge acquired among non-medical staffs., Methods: The study was conducted among 300 non-medical staffs. Study design: It is an observational study where the effect of COLS CPR training was evaluated based on the pre-training and post-training assessment score. Google Forms questionnaire was used as an interventional tool. Participants in our study included security guards, ambulance drivers, housekeeping and facility staff of our hospital. Training was conducted for seven days through lecture, audio-visual display, demonstration and then hands-on session conducted at the end of each training. The Google Form questionnaires consisted of COLS meaning, rate, depth of compression, usefulness, etc. Corrective action preventive action (CAPA) analysis report was prepared along with corrective and preventive action, and onsite debriefing was also done., Results: Paired t -test was applied. For pre-test questions, 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 correct answers were 82.8%, 20.2%, 15%, 5%, >80% and <10%, respectively. In post-test, correct answers were 98.8%, 95%, 92.8%, 67%, 99.6% and 99.3%, respectively. P value 0.0022 suggested that training is highly effective and made statistically significant difference in knowledge of the participants., Conclusion: Among non-medical staff, this study emphasises the cognitive approach to the general perception and skill of COLS. Hence, formal refresher training and experience enhance the knowledge of CPR., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.)

The vast majority of non-Achilles ankle tendinopathies are related to overuse. This article discusses the clinical aspect, imaging appearance, and management of tendinopathies of the lateral, medial, and the anterior compartments with a focus on presurgical perspective and postsurgical evaluation., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joints is now frequently performed to help identify patients with early axial spondyloarthritis. However, differential diagnoses exist and should be recognized. The aim of this article is to review the most frequent differential diagnoses that may mimic inflammatory sacroiliitis in clinical practice.

Cilnidipine (CND), an anti-hypertensive drug, possesses low oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility, low dissolution rate, and high gut wall metabolism. In the present study, an attempt has been made to prepare CND loaded polycaprolactone based nanoparticles (CND-PCL-NPs) by nanoprecipitation method applying the concepts of Design of Experiments. Critical factors affecting particle size and loading efficiency (LE%) were assessed by a hybrid design approach, comprising of Mini Run Resolution IV design followed by Box-Behnken design. Particle size, PDI, zeta potential and LE% of optimized formulations of CND-PCL-NPs were 220.3 ± 2.6 nm, 0.25 ± 0.1, -19.5 ± 0.9 mV, and 46.4 ± 1.8%, respectively. No significant changes were observed in the physical stability of nanoparticles when stored at 25 °C/60% RH over a period of 3 months. Oral pharmacokinetic studies revealed that F abs of CND-PCL-NPs (0.55) were significantly higher than the CND suspension (0.26). Pharmacodynamic studies have revealed that the mean percent reduction in systolic blood pressure (% ΔSBP) was significantly higher in the case of CND-PCL-NPs (42%) as compared to CND suspension (24%). Optimized CND-PCL-NPs offer great potential in providing higher and sustained antihypertensive effect compared to conventional formulations of CND.

Cilnidipine (CND) is known to have low oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility, low dissolution rate, and high gut wall metabolism. In the present study, CND-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (CND-PLGA-NPs) were prepared with two different grades of PLGA (50:50 and 75:25) by design of experiment. Critical factors affecting particle size and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were assessed by mixed design approach, comprising of Plackett-Burman design followed by rotatable central composite design. Particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and EE% of optimized formulations of CND-PLGA(50:50)-NPs and CND-PLGA(75:25)-NPs were 211.6 ± 1.8 nm, 0.21 ± 0.05, - 15.1 ± 1.6 mV, and 85.9 ± 1.5% and 243.5 ± 2.4 nm, 0.23 ± 0.06, -19.6 ± 1.3 mV, and 92.0 ± 1.2% respectively. No significant changes were observed in physical stability of NPs when stored at 25 °C/60% RH over a period of 3 months. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that F abs of CND-PLGA(50:50)-NPs (1.15) and CND-PLGA(75:25)-NPs (2.23) were significantly higher than the free CND (0.26). The C max and AUC 0-∞ of CND-PLGA(50:50)-NPs (787.42 ± 27.38 ng/mL and 9339.37 ± 252.38 ng/ml × h) and CND-PLGA(75:25)-NPs (803.49 ± 19.63 ng/mL and 18,153.34 ± 543.05 ng/ml × h) were significantly higher (p ˂ 0.0001) compared with free CND (367.69 ± 47.22 ng/mL and 2107.95 ± 136.40 ng/ml × h). MRT Oral of CND-PLGA(50:50)-NPs (33.36 ± 0.48 h) and CND-PLGA(75:25)-NPs (48.37 ± 0.61 h) were significantly higher (p ˂ 0.0001) compared with free CND (4.69 ± 0.58 h). CND-PLGA-NPs can provide higher and sustained plasma drug levels of CND and be effective in antihypertensive therapy. Graphical abstract.

Cilnidipine (CND), an anti-hypertensive drug, is known to have low oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility, low dissolution rate and high gut wall metabolism. In the present study, CND loaded compritol based nanoparticles (CND-CMP-NPs) were prepared by emulsification-solvent evaporation method applying the concepts of design of experiments. Critical factors affecting particle size and loading efficiency (LE%) were assessed by hybrid design approach, comprising of Mini Run Resolution IV design followed by Box-Behnken design. Particle size, PDI, zeta potential and LE% of optimized formulations of CND-CMP-NPs were 207.1 ± 2.9 nm, 0.27 ± 0.1, -22.2 ± 1.9 mV and 15.9 ± 1.3% respectively. No significant changes were observed in physical stability of NPs when stored at 25 °C/60% RH over a period of three months. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that F abs of CND-CMP-NPs (0.66) was significantly higher than the free CND (0.27). The C max and AUC 0-∞ of CND-CMP-NPs (572.4 ± 25.3 ng/mL and 5588.6 ± 229.5 ng/mL × h) were significantly higher (P cal < 0.0001) as compared to free CND (363.6 ± 23.5 ng/mL and 2316.1 ± 163.6 ng/mL × h). MRT of CND-CMP-NPs (9.8 ± 0.9 h) was significantly higher (P cal < 0.0001) as compared to free CND (5.7 ± 0.5 h). Pharmacodynamic studies showed a maximum of 38% decrease in systolic blood pressure with more than 20% drop in systolic blood pressure sustained for a total duration of 64 h in the case of CND-CMP-NPs as compared to free CND. CND-CMP-NPs not only provide higher and sustained plasma levels of CND but also higher and sustained antihypertensive therapy as compared to free CND., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)