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Background:. Current treatment modalities are limited in their approach and success for hair loss. QR 678 & QR 678 Neo are new formulations, consisting of a combination of growth factors and peptides. This study demonstrates safety analysis of QR 678 & QR 678 Neo formulation, using in vitro cytotoxicity assay and in vivo animal efficacy. Methods:. Factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, keratinocyte growth factor, and copper tripeptide 1 (QR 678) or their biomimetic peptides (QR678 Neo) were suspended in a sterile injectable vehicle. The 3-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to explore the cytotoxic effects of each factor used in the compositions in human keratinocyte cell and human fibroblast cell assays. An in vivo analysis, wherein study animals were given intradermal QR 678 & QR 678 Neo injections, was conducted to assess whether the formulations produce hair growth. Also, hair follicle viability was checked by intradermal injection of the pharmaceutical compositions in secondary alopecia. Results:. In both formulations, a positive response was observed with respect to the number of mice exhibiting hair growth at the injection sites. The injections caused retention of hair in a 0.25-cm radius around the injection site. On cytotoxicity study, all the factors were found to be safe in human keratinocyte cell and human fibroblast cell assay. A positive response was demonstrated in animals on treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent. Conclusions:. Intradermal injections of QR 678 & QR 678 Neo hair growth factor formulations are a safe and efficacious option for alopecia. Results seem encouraging enough to warrant a trial in humans with secondary alopecia, post cancer chemotherapy.

Background: Oesophagectomy for corrosive stricture of the oesophagus (CSE) is rarely performed due to high risk of iatrogenic complications. The aims of this study were to review our experience of transhiatal oesophagectomy (THE) in patients with CSE as well as to compare results of open and laparoscopic methods. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data of patients with CSE who underwent open transhiatal oesophagectomy (OTE) or laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal oesophagectomy (LATE) by a single surgical team from 2012 to 2016. All study patients had either failed endoscopic dilatation or had a long stricture which was not amenable to endoscopic dilatation. Results: Totally, 35 patients were included in the study, of which 19 (54.3%) were female. OTE was performed in 20 (57%) patients, and LATE was performed in 15 (43%) patients. Gastric and colonic conduits were used in 23 (65.7%) and 10 (34.3%) patients, respectively. Demographic and clinical parameters were comparable between LATE and OTE groups (P > 0.05). Median intra-operative blood loss, post-operative requirement of analgesic and hospital stay were lower in LATE group (P ≤ 0.05). There was no hospital mortality (30 days), but three patients (8.6%) died during a median follow-up of 36 months. Conclusion: THE is a safe procedure for patients with CSE, and LATE may be an alternative approach in selected patients.

This case series aimed to review the significance of revisiting papilledema after successful cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) management with sinus angioplasty. Four patients presented with blurring and transient obscuration of vision with papilledema, headache, tinnitus, and vomiting. On magnetic resonance venography and digital subtraction angiography, chronic transverse sinus thrombosis was diagnosed for which patients underwent endovascular intervention (stenting). After the resolution of CVST, patients developed the recurrence of symptoms which on digital subtraction angiography revealed dural arteriovenous malformation (DAVM). DAVM and papilledema resolved with endovascular embolization. This case series highlights a need of constant monitoring of CVST cases after the endovascular intervention.

Introduction: Ultrasonography (USG) is found to be important in identifying various soft-tissue pathologies in the orofacial region. Therefore, its features should be studied and documented in these lesions so that a more appropriate provisional diagnosis can be made. Aim: This study aims to study ultrasonographic features in various kinds of swellings in the orofacial region. Materials and Methods: The study grouped consists of 30 patients of both sexes (20 males and 10 females) with an age range of 15–70 years complaining of swellings in the orofacial region. All the patients in the study were explained the need of tests and subjected to clinical, ultrasonographic, and histopathologic examination. Sonosite Micromaxx sonography machine was used with a linear array transducer of 13-6 MHz frequencies. Ultrasonographic diagnosis is then correlated with clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. Chi-square test and contingency coefficient tests were used. Results: A significant association was observed between clinical and ultrasonographic diagnoses (contingency = 0.872, P < 0.05) and between ultrasonographic and histopathologic diagnoses (contingency = 0.904, P < 0.05). There was 100% congruency between clinical diagnosis and ultrasonographic diagnosis in all the cases except in cases of cysts, abscess, and sialadenitis. Reliability of USG was found to be 97% in diagnosing all the cases with respect to histopathological diagnosis, while it was 90% with respect to clinical diagnosis. Conclusion: USG was found to be a reliable diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of orofacial swellings.

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been performed at various oncology centres reporting its technical feasibility. Considering GBC an aggressive malignancy, laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy should be dealt with caution. We recently encountered a case of carcinoma gallbladder who underwent laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy elsewhere and presented with early recurrence. The patient's records were evaluated and he underwent re-resection. Hereby, we discuss the factors that could lead to early recurrence after laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy and measures that can be taken to prevent it.

Extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) usually presents with upper gastrointestinal bleed in the first decade. Symptomatic portal hypertensive biliopathy is seen in minority of patients with EHPVO. With the use of endoscopic intervention, biliary drainage is maintained in these patients. Various procedural complications have been linked while performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and stenting; however, these are managed conservatively. Here, we are highlighting a case of EHPVO with symptomatic portal biliopathy who bled from paracholedochal collateral after biliary stenting and managed successfully with multidisciplinary approach.

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral endogenous nocardial endophthalmitis with central nervous system involvement in an immunocompromised individual with an extremely poor outcome. Case Report: A 35-year-old man with a history of long-term, prescribed oral steroid use for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis presented with profound bilateral vision loss. Patient's diagnosis of bilateral endogenous nocardial endophthalmitis was delayed. Nocardia was finally isolated from a brain biopsy after a repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed a brain abscess. With anti-nocardia therapy, patient improved systemically, but the visual outcome was poor, with no light perception in both eyes. Conclusion: Ocular nocardiosis is a serious vision and life threatening disorder, particularly in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. A high index of suspicion is required for successful treatment.

Achalasia cardia is an oesophageal motility disorder characterised by aperistalsis and failure of relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter. The management is predominantly palliative with focus on addressing the sphincter that involves either pneumatic dilatation or Heller myotomy which relieves dysphagia in the majority of the cases. End-stage achalasia (ESA) is characterised by failed myotomy, massively dilated and tortuous oesophagus with nutritional deterioration due to progressive dysphagia and vomiting. In these subgroups of patients, oesophagectomy may be the last resort. While oesophagectomy has been described for ESA before, thoracoscopic oesophagectomy has not been reported previously. Hereby, we report our experience of performing minimally invasive oesophagectomy (thoracoscopic) with the gastric pull-up.

Adult onset hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare condition, usually secondary to either a precipitating infective or hematologic malignancy. We present a case of Epstein–Barr virus associated HLH in a 55-year-old female receiving treatment for a glioblastoma (GBM). It is possible that HLH is under recognized, as patients with GBM often have features of a nonspecific systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiorgan failure and cognitive decline. A high index of suspicion and increased awareness can help improve timeliness of diagnosis. Therapeutically, Epstein–Barr virus associated HLH in patients with solid organ malignancy poses significant challenges. An individualized, multidisciplinary approach is essential when managing adult-onset HLH and providers will need to be mindful of the high mortality rate despite treatment.

In this study, the mechanism of paclobutrazol (PBZ) mediated improvement in tolerance to water deficit in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes were thoroughly investigated. Rice genotypes were subjected to different doses (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 ppm) of paclobutrazol. Study revealed that relative water content, membrane stability index, total chlorophyll and abscisic acid content significantly increased by application of PBZ in contrasting rice genotypes, i.e. Nagina-22 (drought-tolerant genotype), IR-64 (drought sensitive) and IR-64 DTY1.1 [drought-tolerant, near isogenic line of IR-64 developed by the introgression of a major QTL (qDTY1.1)] under polyethylene glycol mediated water deficit stress. The increase was found to be of higher magnitude in 90 ppm dose of paclobutrazol compared to other doses. Our results suggest that PBZ application could significantly improve tolerance in rice genotypes particularly susceptible genotype under limited water availability through selective changes in physio-biochemical parameters.

Nanotechnology has opened new opportunities for delivering bioactive agents. Their physiochemical characteristics, i.e., small size, high surface area, unique composition, biocompatibility and biodegradability, make these nanomaterials an attractive tool for β-carotene delivery. Delivering β-carotene through nanoparticles does not only improve its bioavailability/bioaccumulation in target tissues, but also lessens its sensitivity against environmental factors during processing. Regardless of these benefits, nanocarriers have some limitations, such as variations in sensory quality, modification of the food matrix, increasing costs, as well as limited consumer acceptance and regulatory challenges. This research area has rapidly evolved, with a plethora of innovative nanoengineered materials now being in use, including micelles, nano/microemulsions, liposomes, niosomes, solidlipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipids and nanostructured carriers. These nanodelivery systems make conventional delivery systems appear archaic and promise better solubilization, protection during processing, improved shelf-life, higher bioavailability as well as controlled and targeted release. This review provides information on the state of knowledge on β-carotene nanodelivery systems adopted for developing functional foods, depicting their classifications, compositions, preparation methods, challenges, release and absorption of β-carotene in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and possible risks and future prospects.

BACKGROUND: Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to analyze the news stories on Covaxin published in the online media between two statements issued by Indian Council for Medical Research on 2nd and 4th July for their content, quality of information, and reporting standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed on Google to identify the news stories related to Covaxin in the English language published between these two statements. The selected news stories were subjected to content analysis and reviewed using the screening points developed through a consultation by two independent experts using ten prevalidated criteria for health news review. The data were analyzed in MS Excel and StataMP14. RESULTS: The final analysis included 24 news stories. The mean and median score of the news stories is 10.71 and 12 (out of 20), respectively, with a score ranging from 2 to 17. The stories did not promote disease or vaccine mongering (100%), adequately mentioned the true novelty of the vaccine (95.8%), and source of the information (83.3%). However, they mostly failed to mention the information on costs, research data related to benefits, and harms and quality of the available evidence. CONCLUSION: There is a lack of reporting of detailed analysis about the methodology of development of the vaccine and limitations in its research design by health journalists. It is important to train journalists on proper reporting of health news to improve its quality in Indian media.

Purpose: To report a case of lepromatous iridocyclitis that posed a diagnostic challenge. Case Report: A 50-yeasr-old male developed profound loss of vision in the right eye, while he was in the hospital with septicemia presenting with fever, dysuria, and abdominal swelling. He also developed erythema nodosum on the legs. Skin incisional biopsy section, upon dermatology consultation, showed a granulomatous nodule in the dermis. The anterior chamber aspirate demonstrated lepra bacilli, which confirmed the diagnosis of lepromatous leprosy with type II reaction. The patient was treated with multidrug therapy and oral and topical steroids. Conclusion: This case highlights that the lepromatous iridocyclitis, a serious vision-threatening disorder requires a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis in atypical cases particularly in endemic areas. Examination of the aqueous humor can also be helpful in diagnosis.

AP2/ERF a plant specific transcription factor plays a crucial role in the expression and regulation of abiotic stress related genes. In this study, we have characterized a rice transcription factor named Os-AP2/ERF-N22. It contains single AP2 domain which spans from 5th to 70th amino acid residue in the protein which is 243 amino acid residue long. The partial sequence of the gene encoding Os-AP2/ERF transcription factor was amplified and cloned into pET29a bacterial expression vector. The histidine-tagged truncated Os-AP2/ERF-N22 protein was expressed in BL21(DE3) strain of E. coli after induction with 0.5mM IPTG. A time course induction study was used to optimize the protein expression and the recombinant Os-AP2/ERF-N22 was purified using Ni-NTA agarose column chromatography. The 26.74 kDa recombinant Os-AP2/ERF-N22 was visualized using SDS-PAGE analysis and its expression was further confirmed by western blot analysis using anti-his primary antibody and alkaline phosphatase conjugated secondary antibody. Antibody against the purified truncated AP2/ERF-N22 was custom synthesized and it was used to quantitate the expression of Os-AP2/ERF-N22 transcription factor in rice at the protein level.

Gall bladder carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with varied presentation. Liver is most commonly involved initially with distant metastasis in virtually all possible organs. We report a case of middle aged female who presented with pain in upper abdomen and progressive jaundice. Imaging studies were suggestive of gall bladder carcinoma involving hilum with disseminated osteosclerotic lesions and metastasis to Urinary Bladder (UB). Patients of carcinoma gall bladder with disseminated metastatic disease have poor prognosis and are managed with palliative chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the rare initial presentation of gall bladder carcinoma in the literature.

The prominence of the wireless communication has been urging the monotonically increasing demand of security and privacy. In wireless systems, the notion of perfect secrecy of information with respect to illegitimate nodes can be ensured via physical layer security (PLS) techniques. Unfortunately, they can be made less effective if source- eavesdropper wiretap channel is better than the main source-receiver channel. The various node cooperation schemes can be employed to combat this limitation where a relay node assists the communication to improve the performance significantly. In this paper, a four node wireless communication system consisting of a source, a destination, a relay and an eavesdropper as wire-tapper has been considered. The performance of the traditional cooperation schemes in terms of secrecy rate has been investigated with a different scenario where relay node helps the eavesdropper to deteriorate the secrecy rate. In addition, since legitimate receiver can overhear the transmission of relay, it favours the achievable secrecy rate. We formulate an analytical expression of conditional secrecy outage probability for the investigated system. From the obtained simulation results, it has been observed that secrecy rate is monotonically increases with path loss index. Furthermore, the proper selection of the system parameters leads to enhance the secrecy performance of the system even if relay pertains to degrade the performance. Amplify-and-forward, cooperation, decode-and-Forward, secrecy rate, relay.

Encephalocele is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by abnormal protrusion of brain and meninges through an opening in the skull. We report an 8-year-old girl who presented with a swelling in the right lower lid for the last 6 years. In her infancy, she had undergone surgery for a very small swelling located in the right nasolacrimal area. On further clinicoradiological evaluation, anterior encephalocele was diagnosed. This case highlights the uncommon site of anterior encephalocele; misdiagnosis and mismanagement of which could result in dreaded complications such as meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leaking fistula formation.

Introduction: Several studies have shown that self perceived dental appearance is an important determinant in the decision to seek treatment. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the selfperceived oral health knowledge, attitude, practice, behaviour and perception among 18-20 year old students of professional healthcare institutions in Belagavi city, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: The novel 21 itemed Oro-Facial Investment Scale (OFIS) formulated for this study was distributed to 600 students of professional healthcare institutions (200 each from Medical, Physiotherapy and Ayurveda specialties respectively). Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were assessed. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were applied. Results: Total 98.17% practiced the use of facial and oral care products on a regular basis. All 600 participants disagreed that they hate their facial appearance and the way their teeth looked. Out of 200, Ayurveda students 37 were unsatisfied with the appearance of their teeth. Also, majority of the respondents agreed that they take prompt care of oral wounds or lesions. While majority of the subjects did not feel conscious when a dentist checks their teeth, a robust 153 respondents expressed their reservations for their dental examination to be performed. Conclusion: The OFIS seamlessly amalgamates the dental unit with the immediate facial components; hence, bringing together, in harmony, a multifaceted dimension in self assessment of the overall facial and dental behavioural practices.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder involving multiple systems and affects approximately 1 out of 3000 persons. Ocular manifestations are lisch nodules, plexiform neurofibroma, optic pathway gliomas. The proper diagnosis of NF-1 is a crucial task for a clinician due to the various clinical manifestations including vision and life threatening malignancies in few patients, which may arise in the different phases of life. The authors report three cases of NF-1, presenting with ophthalmic symptoms in teenager boys. On further ophthalmic and paediatric evaluation the diagnosis of NF-1 was confirmed on the basis of clinical criteria. This series also describe the abnormal facial features like telecanthus and broad nose which has been reported rarely. Case 1 was kept under regular follow-up and Case 2 and Case 3 were planned for the debulking surgery for plexiform neurofibroma of upper eye lid. A multidisciplinary approach is required to diagnose and treat such patients keeping in mind the myriad of clinical manifestations and lifelong follow-up is required.

Iridocorneal Endothelial syndrome (ICE) is a rare ocular disorder characterized by abnormal endothelization of angle structure and iris producing characteristic manifestations including secondary angle closure glaucoma. We describe the clinical course of three patients with secondary glaucoma due to ICE syndrome who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. At last follow-up, all patients had controlled IOP (