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The most well-known and widely used non-traditional manufacturing method is electrical discharge machining (EDM). It is well-known for its ability to cut rigid materials and high-temperature alloys that are difficult to machine with traditional methods. The significant challenges encountered in EDM are high tool wear rate, low material removal rate, and high surface roughness caused by the continuous electric spark generated between the tool and the workpiece. Researchers have reported using a variety of approaches to overcome this challenge, such as combining the die-sinking EDM process with cryogenic treatment, cryogenic cooling, powder-mixed processing, ultrasonic assistance, and other methods. This paper examines the results of these association techniques on various performance measures, such as material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), surface roughness, surface integrity, and recast layer formed during machining, and identifies potential gap areas and proposes a solution. The manuscript is useful for improving performance and introducing new resolutions to the field of EDM machining.

Abstract Background Efforts to work with civil society to strengthen community participation and action for health are particularly important in Gujarat, India, given that the state has resources and capacity, but faces challenges in ensuring that services reach those most in need. To contribute to the knowledge base on accountability and maternal health, this study examines the equity effects of community action for maternal health led by Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) on facility deliveries. It then examines the underlying implementation processes with implications for strengthening accountability of maternity care across three districts of Gujarat, India. Community action for maternal health entailed NGOs a) working with community collectives to raise awareness about maternal health entitlements, b) supporting community monitoring of outreach government services, and c) facilitating dialogue with government providers and authorities with report cards based on community monitoring of maternal health. Methods The study combined qualitative data (project documents and 56 stakeholder interviews thematically analyzed) with quantitative data (2395 women's self-reported receipt of information on entitlements and use of services over 3 years of implementation monitored prospectively through household visits). Multivariable logistic regression examined delivery care seeking and equity. Results In the marginalised districts, women reported substantial increases in receipt of information of entitlements and utilization of antenatal and delivery care. In the marginalized and wealthier districts, a switch from private facilities to public ones was observed for the most vulnerable. Supportive implementation factors included a) alignment among NGO organizational missions, b) participatory development of project tools, c) repeated capacity building and d) government interest in improving utilization and recognition of NGO contributions. Initial challenges included a) confidence and turnover of volunteers, b) complexity of the monitoring tool and c) scepticism from both communities and providers. Conclusion With capacity and trust building, NGOs supporting community based collectives to monitor health services and engage with health providers and local authorities, over time overcame implementation challenges to strengthen public sector services. These accountability efforts resulted in improvements in utilisation of public sector services and a shift away from private care seeking, particularly for the marginalised.

Dyslexia is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in reading and writing. In this study, we describe the identification of a set of 17 polymorphisms located across 1.9 Mb region on chromosome 5q31.3, encompassing genes of the PCDHG cluster, TAF7, PCDH1 and ARHGAP26, dominantly inherited with dyslexia in a multi-incident family. Strikingly, the non-risk form of seven variations of the PCDHG cluster, are preponderant in the human lineage, while risk alleles are ancestral and conserved across Neanderthals to non-human primates. Four of these seven ancestral variations (c.460A > C [p.Ile154Leu], c.541G > A [p.Ala181Thr], c.2036G > C [p.Arg679Pro] and c.2059A > G [p.Lys687Glu]) result in amino acid alterations. p.Ile154Leu and p.Ala181Thr are present at EC2: EC3 interacting interface of γA3-PCDH and γA4-PCDH respectively might affect trans-homophilic interaction and hence neuronal connectivity. p.Arg679Pro and p.Lys687Glu are present within the linker region connecting trans-membrane to extracellular domain. Sequence analysis indicated the importance of p.Ile154, p.Arg679 and p.Lys687 in maintaining class specificity. Thus the observed association of PCDHG genes encoding neural adhesion proteins reinforces the hypothesis of aberrant neuronal connectivity in the pathophysiology of dyslexia. Additionally, the striking conservation of the identified variants indicates a role of PCDHG in the evolution of highly specialized cognitive skills critical to reading.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly of the coronary circulation, which can be easily missed by echocardiography. Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is another rare congenital cardiac abnormality that typically presents in the first few weeks of life. We present a case of ARCAPA associated with IAA diagnosed with the help of multidetector computed tomography angiography, in a 7-year-old boy.

Background: The tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive subtype that generally presents as a large tumor in the advanced stage; however, little is known about the tall cell variant of microcarcinoma (tumors measuring <1 cm). In this study, we compare the tall cell variant of microcarcinoma (microTCV) with classic papillary microcarcinomas to examine the hypothesis that, despite the small size, the microTCV may be more aggressive than the classic papillary microcarcinoma. Methods: We identified 27 microTCV patients and compared their clinicopathologic features and BRAFV600E mutational status with classic papillary microcarcinomas matched by age and size. The patients with microTCV included 22 women and 5 men aged 33 to 74 years (median age, 56 years). All patients underwent total thyroidectomy; 20 patients had lymph node dissection. Results: Tumor size in microTCV patients ranged from 2 mm to 10 mm (median, 7 mm). Extrathyroidal extension and lymphovascular invasion were seen in 9 (33%) and 4 (15%) tumors, respectively. Thirteen patients (48%) harbored multifocal papillary carcinomas. Metastasis to central compartment lymph nodes was seen in 8 patients and to lateral cervical nodes in 3 patients. Nine of the 25 patients (36%) presented at an advanced stage (stage III/IVA). The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 25 of 27 tumors (92.6%). In contrast, age- and size-matched classic papillary microcarcinomas ( n=26) showed no extrathyroidal extension ( p=0.002), lymphovascular invasion in 1, central compartment lymph node metastasis in 2, lateral cervical node metastasis in 1, multifocal tumors in 10 (38.5%), the BRAFV600E mutation in 20 (76.9%), and it infrequently presented in stage III/IVA (7.7%, p=0.02). Conclusions: The microTCV form is associated with aggressive features at presentation, and it should be differentiated from other papillary thyroid microcarcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global pathogen and infects more than 185 million individuals worldwide. Although recent development of direct acting antivirals (DAA) has shown promise in HCV therapy, there is an urgent need for the development of more affordable treatment options. We initiated this study to identify novel inhibitors of HCV through screening of compounds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) diversity dataset. Using cell-based assays, we identified NSC-320218 as a potent inhibitor against HCV with an EC50 of 2.5 μM and CC50 of 75 μM. The compound inhibited RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity of all six major HCV genotypes indicating a pan-genotypic effect. Limited structure-function analysis suggested that the entire molecule is necessary for the observed antiviral activity. However, the compound failed to inhibit HCV NS5B activity in vitro, suggesting that it may not be directly acting on the NS5B protein but could be interacting with a host protein. Importantly, the antiviral compound also inhibited dengue virus and hepatitis E virus replication in hepatocytes. Thus, our study has identified a broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutic agent against multiple viral infections.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of sinapic acid against Aluminium chloride-induced dementia of Alzheimer's disease (AD) type in rat.Methods: The study was designed to induce dementia by chronic exposure of aluminium chloride at a dose of 175 mg/kg, p.o. for a period of 25 days in rats and then divided into different groups, i.e. Treatment group, negative control and two groups of sinapic acid, (at a dose of 20 and 40mg/kg, p.o.), where these groups treated and observed till the 35th day of experimental trial. The behavioural, neuronal and biochemical parameters were determined during or end of experiment. Histological changes in the brain were also observed.Results: Aluminium chloride at a dose of 175 mg/kg, o.p. had significantly induced the dementia and sinapic acid, at a dose of 40 mg/kg, p.o., possessed therapeutic effect against Aluminium chloride induced-dementia of AD type in rats.Conclusions: Sinapic acid is a class of compound wide spread in plant kingdom and could be a better source of neutraceuticals in brain disorders. The compound showed an in vivo MAO-A and MAO-B inhibiting activity and their role in Alzheimer's disease type of dementia was unexplored. The article also provides information on acute toxicity of sinapic acid with no toxicological sign on brain with chronic dose of AlCl3.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in normal pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to compare the prevalence in both groups. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case–control study between April 2015 and April 2016. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS program version 17. Categorical variables were analyzed using either the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Pregnant women who underwent oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks of gestation were enrolled. We took 25 women with GDM as cases and 25 normal pregnant as control. These patients were analyzed for the level of hs-CRP. Results: The prevalence of elevated hs-CRP in controls was 28% whereas in cases was 76%, with a P = 0.002 which is significant in this study. When compared to elevated hs-CRP in GDM with body mass index and gravid state a P = 0.430, 0.378 was obtained respectively which was not significant whereas age had a P = 0.049 which was significantly associated with elevated hs-CRP (≥3 mg/L). Conclusion: Our result shows an increased level of hs-CRP in GDM as compared to normal pregnant subjects. In this study, we also observed an association of increasing age with elevated level of hs-CRP in GDM. Therefore, hs-CRP can be used as a screening tool for early detection and risk assessment of GDM.

The study was conducted during 2013–14 and 2014–15 at experimental farm of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur with the objective to evaluate the effect of drip irrigation and NPK fertigation levels on crop growth, nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency and productivity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) The treatment combinations comprised two irrigation levels (0.4 and 0.8 CPE), four fertigation levels (50, 100, 150 and 200% RDF), one farmer’s practice (FYM @ 1 kg/m2 + 10 g/m2 IFFCO (basal) + 2 g/L of 19:19:19 at 15 days intervals and drip irrigation applied @ 2 L/m2 daily), and one recommended practice (100% RDF by conventional method + drip irrigation at 100% CPE). The results revealed that plants grown under fertigation had more number of leaves and plant height as compared to those grown under conventional method. Study on drip fertigation revealed that root length, volume and mass were significantly higher with F200 over F100 and F50 leading to higher marketable yield. However, fertigation treatment F50 resulted in high nutrient use efficiency and saving of 50% and 20–60% fertilizers and water, respectively, as compared to conventional fertilization with drip irrigation at I1.0 to maintain the same yield levels in broccoli.

Introduction: Cryptococcal meningitis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal infection that affects immunocompromised Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. In recent years, the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis has increased in both the HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients; therefore there is a need for development of efficient methods for early diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality and morbidity. Aim: To determine the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients and to compare the results of latex agglutination test and India ink preparation with fungal culture examination. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from HIV-positive patients (aged >18 years) showing signs and symptoms of meningitis were collected. The samples were cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA), and analysed using India ink preparation and cryptococcal antigen detection by the rapid Latex Agglutination assay. Results: Mean age of the patients was 32.45 years. The male: female ratio was observed to be 10:1. Of these, 30 (14.70%) cases were culture positive, 35 (17.15%) were positive for cryptococcal antigen and 16 (7.84%) patients were found to be positive by India ink preparation. Incidence of cryptococcal meningitis was observed to be 14.70% in the study population. Considering culture as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of India ink was observed to be 53.33% and 100% respectively. The antigen detection test showed the sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97.12%, respectively. Conclusion: Rapid and early diagnosis of cryptococcal infection by detection of the fungal antigen in CSF of patients by latex agglutination when compared to culture and India ink can alter the course of management of cryptococcal meningitis patients.

Abstract To tackle global challenges, research collaborations need to integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives and connect with local practices to find solutions that are sustainable and impactful. This paper discusses how participatory action research (PAR) is used as a framework for transdisciplinary collaboration to integrate different disciplines and identify healthy and sustainable housing solutions appropriate for local development practices and policy. By analyzing a transdisciplinary research collaboration investigating housing interventions for low‐income settlements in Delhi, reflections and recommendations are provided for other projects wishing to use a similar methodology. It is found that the PAR framework has successfully guided the integration of contrasting methods and improved the impact of research outcomes, resulting in the emergence of new shared practices. However, it proves to be challenging and requires heightened communication and engagement to achieve understanding between all disciplines and practices. It is recommended that focus is given to developing relationships and effective communication channels and that time should be preallocated for reflection. The work provides insights for integrating academic disciplines, the community, and relevant stakeholders in the cocreation of evidence that is paramount to formulate effective solutions to global challenges.

In medico-legal cases, most often the personal identity of the deceased is a mystery. The stature, sex and other parameters in such scenarios are ascertained using the physical evidence present at the crime scene. One of the key methods of ascertaining the sex and stature is by using the human bones. The method of achieving accuracy in estimation of stature from bones has been well established in past. There are several regression formulae for conducting such estimation. However, it must be kept in mind that these regression equations can vary depending upon the population and region. Thus, it is very necessary to study a particular population thoroughly before formulating regression equations for that specific population patch. In this paper, we have penned down the study of KORI POPULATION, who are native to Kanpur region of Uttar Pradesh state, in India. In this study, we have observed the statistics of 202 individuals (106 females and 96 males). In totality, eight bone dimensions including stature, total arm length, length of the middle finger, knee length, foot length, foot breadth, maximum head length and maximum head breadth have been recorded in this research paper. The regression formulae for females and males have been derived separately. Further, there are various parameters that have been compared to find which parameter provides the best results in terms of accuracy in stature estimation.

Strokes are a rare neurological manifestation of HIV infection in children with multifactorial etiologies. We present three HIV-infected children who presented to us with stroke out of which two had cerebral infarcts and who responded to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Third patient had tuberculous meningitis who was lost to follow-up before ART could be initiated.

Abstract Background Sodium alterations are very common among patients with the postoperative traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can be hyponatremia or hypernatremia. Sodium disturbances can lead to serious complications and adverse outcomes including death. Aim The current study was performed to assess the effectiveness of oral rehydration solution (ORS) on natremic status of patients with postoperative TBI. Materials and Methods The study was performed in the Department of Neurosurgery of a tertiary care hospital. Total 100 patients on Ryles tube were randomly allocated. The tools used were semistructured interview schedule and biophysiologic methods. In the intervention group, administration of ORS was started on second postoperative day till fifth postoperative day. Serum sodium levels were assessed daily from zeroth postoperative day to fifth postoperative day in both groups. Statistical Analysis and Result Both the groups were homogeneous and comparable. The mean serum sodium levels before and after the intervention were not significantly different in both groups. The proportion of patients with normonatremia was significantly greater in the intervention group on third through fifth postoperative days, that is, 76, 78, and 82%, as compared with that in the control group, that is, 52, 52, and 60%. The proportion of the patients with hyponatremia was high on third through fifth postoperative days in the control group as compared with that in the intervention group. The hypernatremia developed varied from 8 to 18% in both the groups. Conclusion Thus to prevent sodium imbalance, ORS can be safely administered to the patients with postoperative TBI without increasing the risk of hypernatremia.

Somatic variation in DNA can cause cells to deviate from the preordained genomic path in both disease and healthy conditions. Here, using exome sequencing of paired tissue samples, we show that the normal human brain harbors somatic single base variations measuring up to 0.48% of the total variations. Interestingly, about 64% of these somatic variations in the brain are expected to lead to non-synonymous changes, and as much as 87% of these represent G:C>T:A transversion events. Further, the transversion events in the brain were mostly found in the frontal cortex, whereas the corpus callosum from the same individuals harbors the reference genotype. We found a significantly higher amount of 8-OHdG (oxidative stress marker) in the frontal cortex compared to the corpus callosum of the same subjects (pT:A transversions in the cortex. We found significant enrichment for axon guidance and related pathways for genes harbouring somatic variations. This could represent either a directed selection of genetic variations in these pathways or increased susceptibility of some loci towards oxidative stress. This study highlights that oxidative stress possibly influence single nucleotide somatic variations in normal human brain.

​Background: Globally, disabled people have significant unmet needs in relation to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Disabled women in India face multiple discrimination: social exclusion, lack of autonomy with regard to their SRH, vulnerability to violence, and lack of access to SRH care. While they may face shared challenges, an intersectional perspective suggests that considering disabled women as a uniform and ‘vulnerable’ group is likely to mask multiple differences in their lived experiences. Objective: To explore commonality and heterogeneity in the experiences of disabled women in relation to their SRH needs and rights in Gujarat State, India. Methods: We conducted 22 in-depth qualitative interviews with women between the ages of 18 and 49 with any form of self-identified disability. Intersectionality was used as a lens for analysis and in sampling. Results: Findings explore the experiences of disabled women in a number of different spheres related to decision making and SRH service use. Conclusions: Recognising heterogeneity is critical to inform rights-based approaches to promote SRH and rights for all disabled women. This suggests a need to encourage strategic alliances between social movements for gender equity and SRH and disability rights, in which common interests and agendas can be pursued whilst recognising and respecting differences.

Vaginal agenesis is one of the major congenital anomalies of the female genital tract. It may present either as an isolated developmental defect or within a complex of more extensive anomalies. Most commonly it is associated with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kόster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. The correction of vaginal agenesis requires the creation of a neovaginal cavity that is dissected between the bladder and the rectum. After reconstruction of space for vagina surgically, a long-term vaginal stent use is required to maintain vaginal width and depth and to prevent contraction. In this article is presented a case of nonsyndromic agenesis of vagina in a 14-year-old girl and its surgical management using custom fabricated acrylic vaginal stent.

The Jehovah′s Witness religion is a Christian movement, founded in the US in the 1870s, with 7 million followers worldwide with only 0.002% in India. There is minimal to complete absence of awareness about the existence of this community in our society. Astonishing is that fact that among medical professionals, there is almost no awareness about this unique population, regarding the fact that they completely refuse of blood transfusion even if it leads to their death. This is integral to their faith. Besides legal and ethical issues in treating these group of patients, the biggest challenge exist even in the western world is their management in trauma scenario where few options exist. We have discussed the issues and recommendations in management in trauma scenario in our Indian subcontinent.

Neolithic people who had already domesticated crops such as barley and wheat, domesticated cattle more than 8,500 years ago. This development transitioned human populations from hunter-gatherers to sedentary complex societies. Modern cattle comprise mainly of two species (or types) Bos taurus (taurine) and Bos indicus (zebu or Indicine) which are distributed world-wide; and some minor species of cattle, including Bos grunniens (yak), Bos frontalis (gayal/mithun) and Bos javanicus domesticus (Bali banteng) are also important in East and Southeast Asia. Neolithic period onwards cattle have been deployed to plough land for efficient agriculture; yield milk, meat and leather and for making yoghurt, cheese and ghee from milk; transport people and goods in carts. Historical accounts of 10000 years and archaeological findings of Neolithic period have been complemented by recent mitochondrial and nuclear genetical-genomical evidences to understand the pre- and post- domesticated history of cattle. Analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial genome sequences for polymorphism at DNA markers in ancient (extinct) and modern cattle has revealed the parentage of cattle species, approximate dates and places of their domestication, approximate dates and routes of their migration to new habitats on different continents, and times and places of introgression from wild aurochs in Europe and Africa and admixture between species. Cattle have undergone natural and strong artificial selection for adaptation to varied environments, fertility, social behaviour, milk and meat yields, milk quality and aesthetic morphological features which have had pronounced effect on cattle genome, causing reduction in genetic variability. Here a brief review is presented about genetical evidence on above aspects and future research directions are also identified.

Soil salinity is a major restriction to crop production in many areas of the world. Crops growing in salt-affected soils may suffer from many physiological stress and ion toxicity which then lead to reduced growth and productivity. The present study was under taken on the effect of salinity and rhizobium inoculated seeds on plant growth and productivity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-greacum L.) cultivars (NDM-17 and Pusa Kasauri). The pot experiment was conducted in completely randomized block design with three replicates. Two sets of pot trails were maintained in which one inoculated with effective rhizobium strain (Rhizobium meliloti) while other set was uninoculated. Both sets were irrigated with saline water of different electrical conductivities (0, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 14 dS/m). Salinity stress registered the highest detrimental effects on growth and productivity. Present findings revealed that the inoculated seeds with effective rhizobium strain minimized the deleterious effect of salinity at all levels. The maximum growth and productivity was found in NDM-17 in both sets inoculated and uninoculated with rhizobium as compared to Pusa Kasauri.

Three bioagents (Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum and Gliocladium virens) and five biopesticides (Achook, Neemgold, Wannis, Spictaf and Neemazal) were evaluated under in vitro and in vivo conditions against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. All the three antagonistic fungi caused significant inhibition of mycelial growth, maximum being with T. viride (69.21%) followed by T. harzianum (64.20%). Among the biopesticides tested at four concentrations, Wanis applied @ 1000 ?l/ml caused maximum inhibition of 82.12 per cent followed by Spictaf (52.85%). T. viride and Wanis @ 1000 ?l/ml were most effective in reducing the seed borne infection. Integration of bioagents with Bavistin showed that disease can be effectively managed with seed dressing either with Bavistin or biopesticide followed by foliar treatment with fungicide or biopesticide.

Congenital anterior urethral diverticulum is an infrequent but important cause of infravesical obstructive uropathy in children. Clinical spectrum usually includes obstructive or irritative urinary symptoms or penile ballooning during the act of micturition. We share our experience in a case of giant anterior urethral diverticulum with a contained calculus presenting as a huge inguino-scrotal swelling and masquerading as left inguinal hernia. The fluctuation in the size of the swelling related to the act of micturition was mistaken for cough impulse. He was subjected to a left inguinal herniotomy, following which he developed urine leak from the surgery wound and was subsequently referred to our centre for further management. The importance of a detailed history, meticulous physical examination, and diagnostic imaging has been stressed. The surgical approach in such cases has also been highlighted.

Fluctuating ptosis is usually caused by Myasthenia gravis. There are a few case reports of central causes of fluctuating ptosis. A 58-year-old man presented with fluctuating ptosis of one year duration. He was diagnosed as having ocular myasthenia and investigated. On evaluation, his electrophysiological tests revealed negative decremental response and results of neostigmine test was negative. During follow-up, patient developed headache. Imaging of the brain revealed midbrain cysticercosis granuloma. The focal encephalitis and edema was responsible for fluctuating ptosis. It is therefore essential to be aware of conditions that cause such pseudomyasthenic features. Patients with ptosis need to be evaluated for other rare central cause especially when neostigmine test is negative.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) and different implant surface topography on implant stability and bone levels around immediately loaded dental implants. Materials and Methods: Dental implants were placed in subjects divided into two groups and four subgroups on basis of implant treatment with PRP and implant surface topography used. A total of 30 implants were placed, 15 in each group. For PRP group, implants were placed after surface treatment with PRP. Temporization was done within two weeks and final prosthesis was given after three months. Implant stability was measured with Periotest at baseline, one month and three months. Bone height was measured on mesial & distal side on standardized IOPA x-rays. Results: A statistically significant difference was noticed in implant stability with PRP at baseline. The effect of PRP on bone height changes was not statistically significant. A synergistic effect of PRP and square thread-form was observed on improved implant stability and bone levels; however, no such effect is seen with PRP and reverse buttress thread-form. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, enhancement on implant stability and bone healing was observed with PRP treated implant surfaces, and with use of implant with square thread-form.

The innate immune response following bone injury plays an important role in promoting cellular recruitment, revascularization, and other repair mechanisms. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is a prominent pro-inflammatory cytokine in this cascade, and has been previously shown to improve bone formation and angiogenesis in a dose- and timing-dependent manner. This ability to positively impact both osteogenesis and vascular growth may benefit bone tissue engineering, as vasculature is essential to maintaining cell viability in large grafts after implantation. Here, we investigated the effects of exogenous TNF on the induction of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) to engineer pre-vascularized osteogenic tissue in vitro with respect to dose, timing, and co-stimulation with other inflammatory mediators. We found that acute (2-day), low-dose exposure to TNF promoted vascularization, whereas higher doses and continuous exposure inhibited vascular growth. Co-stimulation with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), another key factor released following bone injury, increased vascular network formation synergistically with TNF. ASC-seeded grafts were then cultured within polycaprolactone-fibrin composite scaffolds and implanted in nude rats for 2 weeks, resulting in further tissue maturation and increased angiogenic ingrowth in TNF-treated grafts. VEGF-A expression levels were significantly higher in TNF-treated grafts immediately prior to implantation, indicating a long-term pro-angiogenic effect. These findings demonstrate that TNF has the potential to promote vasculogenesis in engineered osteogenic grafts both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, modulation and/or recapitulation of the immune response following bone injury may be a beneficial strategy for bone tissue engineering.

Cancer progression is a multistep process during which normal cells exhibit molecular changes that culminate into the highly malignant and metastatic phenotype, observed in cancerous tissues. The initiation of cell transformation is generally associated with genetic alterations in normal cells that lead to the loss of intercellular- and/or extracellular-matrix- (ECM-) mediated cell adhesion. Transformed cells undergo rapid multiplication and generate more modifications in adhesion and motility-related molecules which allow them to escape from the original site and acquire invasive characteristics. Integrins, which are multifunctional adhesion receptors, and are present, on normal as well as transformed cells, assist the cells undergoing tumor progression in creating the appropriate environment for their survival, growth, and invasion. In this paper, we have briefly discussed the role of ECM proteins and integrins during cancer progression and described some unique conditions where adhesion-related changes could induce genetic mutations in anchorage-independent tumor model systems.

Bladder paragangliomas are rare tumors, with no prospective studies or guidelines on the management of this disease. We present a case series of 6 patients managed with bladder preservation over a median follow-up period of 124 months. We also present a review of the recent literature on bladder paragangliomas. We aim to provide a timely synthesis of the recent evidence on bladder paragangliomas as changing paradigms necessitate individualized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acne is an inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous units. Major complications of acne are scarring and psychosocial effects. When compared to other chronic illnesses, patients with acne have been shown to have levels of social, psychological, and emotional impairments similar to those with serious diseases. This study is aimed to assess the effects of acne, including acne severity and acne scar on the patientûs quality of life using a Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Methods: One hundred and ten patients with acne who attended the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, Siriraj Hospital, were asked to complete the Thai version of the DLQI questionnaires by themselves. Clinical severity of acne and acne scars were assessed. Results: Of 110 patients, 80 (72.7%) were females with a mean (SD) age of 26.0 (6.6) years and a range of 16-52 years. Most of the patients were students. The mean total DLQI score was 8.95 (range 0-24). Questions concerning embarrassment had the highest mean DLQI score, which meant the greatest impairment of the quality of life. The others that also had high mean DLQI scores were questions which represented social activities, itchy/sore/painful/stinging skin, and treatment difficulties, respectively. Concerning personal relationship problems, female patients had significant higher mean DLQI scores than male patients (p

Abstract Venous aneurysms are benign vascular lesions usually located in the neck, lower extremity, and abdomen, but rarely in the upper extremity. There may be a mistake or delay in diagnosis because they are uncommon. We report a case of a healthy 54-year-old man who had a cephalic venous aneurysm in his wrist that grew slowly over 20 years. The diagnosis was made on MRI and confirmed with excisional surgery. Radiologists should consider venous aneurysms in the differential when evaluating soft tissue masses as they will often be the first to make the correct diagnosis. Highlights • Venous aneurysms are dilations of venous segments communicating with normal vein, which are not within varicose segments. • Clinical history of a venous aneurysm often includes slow growth over many years, recent increase in size, and new pain. • Surgical treatment for symptomatic venous aneurysms can improve pain and cosmesis and prevent any complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although men on active surveillance for prostate cancer (PCa) may benefit from intervention with 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), it has not been resolved whether 5-ARIs are effective for delaying disease progression and, if so, whether specific patients are more likely to benefit. Objective To identify molecular features predictive of patient response to 5-ARIs. Design, setting, and participants Nkx3.1 mutant mice, a model of early-stage PCa, were treated with the 5-ARI finasteride, and histopathological and molecular analyses were performed. Cross-species computational analyses were used to compare expression profiles for treated mice with those of patients who had received 5-ARIs before prostatectomy. Intervention Finasteride administered to Nkx3.1 mutant mice. 5-ARI-treated patient specimens obtained retrospectively. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Endpoints in mice included histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular profiling. GraphPad Prism software, R-studio, and Matlab were used for statistical and data analyses. Results and limitations Finasteride treatment of Nkx3.1 mutant mice resulted in a significant reduction in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), as evident from histopathological and expression profiling analyses. Cross-species computational analysis comparing finasteride-treated mice with two independent 5-ARI–treated patient cohorts showed that reduced NKX3.1 expression is predictive of response to 5-ARI. A limitation of the study is that these retrospective human cohorts have relatively few patients with limited clinical outcome data. Future prospective clinical trials are needed to validate whether stratifying patients on the basis of NKX3.1 expression improves the benefit of 5-ARIs during active surveillance. Conclusions This co-clinical study implicates NKX3.1 status as a predictor of response to 5-ARIs, and suggests that molecular features, including NKX3.1 expression, may help to identify PCa patients most likely to benefit from 5-ARIs during active surveillance. Patient summary The aim of precision cancer prevention is to tailor interventions on the basis of individualized patient characteristics. We propose that patients with low NKX3.1 expression are optimal candidates for intervention with 5α-reductase inhibitors as an adjunct to active surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permittivity of a material is an important parameter to characterize the degree of polarization of a material and identify components and impurities. This paper presents a non-invasive measurement technique to characterize materials in terms of their permittivity based on a modified metamaterial unit-cell sensor. The sensor consists of a complementary split-ring resonator (C-SRR), but its fringe electric field is contained with a conductive shield to intensify the normal component of the electric field. It is shown that by tightly electromagnetically coupling opposite sides of the unit-cell sensor to the input/output microstrip feedlines, two distinct resonant modes are excited. Perturbation of the fundamental mode is exploited here for determining the permittivity of materials. The sensitivity of the modified metamaterial unit-cell sensor is enhanced four-fold by using it to construct a tri-composite split-ring resonator (TC-SRR). The measured results confirm that the proposed technique provides an accurate and inexpensive solution to determine the permittivity of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]