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The cytoskeleton of an eukaryotic cell is a composite polymer material with unique structural (mechanical) properties. To investigate the role of individual cytoskeletal polymers in the deformation response of a cell to an external force (stress), we created two structural models - a thick shell model for the actin cortex, and a three-layered model for the whole cell. These structural models for a cell are based on data obtained by deforming suspended cells, where each cell is stretched between two counter-propagating laser beams using an optical stretcher. Our models, with the data, suggest that the outer actin cortex is the main determinant of the structural response of the cell.

Introduction: Dyslipidemia comprises disorders of lipoprotein metabolism, which is usually characterized by increased plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or reduced plasma level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Dyslipidemia is commonly found in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients causing an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Many studies done previously show variable prevalence of dyslipidemia (68 to 85 %) in known diagnosed patients of T2DM (with unknown history of onset), however, only limited studies have been done for finding prevalence of dyslipidemia in newly detected T2DM patients. AIM: This study is a cross-sectional observational study done in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai (India), aiming to study prevalence and pattern in newly detected T2DM patients. The secondary objective is to compare the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in newly detected T2DM patients with non-diabetic controls. Material and Method: For this, 100 newly detected T2DM patients were chosen along with 100 cases of age & gender-matched non-diabetic controls. Their clinical profile and lipid profile of both groups were observed and compared. Result: Results showed higher prevalence of dyslipidemia in newly detected T2DM patients (64%) which was significantly more than the control group (32%). Moreover, the pattern of dyslipidemia showed greater mean levels of TC, TG, and LDL and low mean levels of HDL in T2DM patients compared to the control group. Conclusion: These findings show that there is an increased risk of Dyslipidemia in new onset T2DM patients.

Introduction Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) is the standard practice in pituitary surgeries. The sellar exposure becomes the main factor which determines the residual disease in ETS. Not many studies can be found in the literature on the influence of anatomical variations of the sphenoid on intraoperative sella exposure.

This article, titled "‘You bleed in war and you bleed in peace: Hemoptysis in a case with retained intra-thoracic bullet fragments decades after the injury," discusses a case of an 81-year-old war veteran who experienced hemoptysis (coughing up blood) due to retained bullet fragments in his chest. The patient had a history of intermittent mild hemoptysis for the past 10 years, but the significant hemoptysis that led him to seek medical care occurred 58 years after the initial injury. The patient was managed medically with tranexamic acid nebulization and antibiotics, and his symptoms subsided within two days. The article highlights the challenges of managing such cases and the potential benefits of tranexamic acid nebulization in controlling hemoptysis. [Extracted from the article]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaco-invasive approach in the management of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) played a vital role in saving many lives. A retrospective observational study was conducted wherein 134 patients presenting with STEMI between (Dec 2019–Mar 2022) were thrombolysed with either streptokinase or tenecteplase in a centre where primary PCI was not available. There was no significant difference in the outcomes and their predictors between the SK and TNK groups. A prospective study with a larger sample size in the Indian population will be able to provide more substantial and promising results for further interventions.

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by gradual deterioration of renal parenchyma and decline of functioning nephrons. The risk of cardiovascular events is drastically increased in patients with CKD. This complicated link of CKD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not well understood till date. Objective. We aim to study the influence of genetic variants of matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene rs1800801, rs1800802, and rs4236 and nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) gene rs1799983 and rs2070744 on the risk of CKD and its associated cardiovascular comorbidity in South Indian Tamils. Methods. One hundred and eighty-five CKD patients and 185 controls were recruited in this research. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery was measured ultrasonically. Circulating levels of MGP and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by ELISA. Genotyping was done by real-time PCR. Results. We observed a significant difference in the distribution of TT and CT genotypes of NOS3 (rs2070744), indicating an increase in the risk of CKD. NO level was significantly decreased in CKD cases than controls. We also found a significant difference in the distribution of TTA and CCG haplotypes of MGP polymorphisms (1-rs4236; 2-rs1800801; 3-rs1800802) between the groups, indicating an increase in the risk of CKD. CT genotype of MGP (rs4236) and CT genotype of NOS3 (rs2070744) variants were found to be associated with decreased FMD, indicating endothelial dysfunction, the harbinger of CVD. Conclusion. We conclude that genetic variants of MGP and NOS3 enhance the risk of CKD and its associated cardiovascular comorbidity in South Indian Tamils.