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Highlights: CPL-AgNPs exhibited improved biomimetic attributes. Antibiotic resistance against pathogens were challenged through use of CPL-AgNPs. Supercapacitor application of facile synthesized AgNPs for the first time demonstrated improved physical application., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: By resolving the difficulties associated with missing teeth, implant-supported restorations have emerged as a key component of contemporary dentistry. The choice of prosthetic materials is crucial in establishing the durability and clinical efficacy of these restorations., Methods: A prospective design was used at a tertiary care hospital with 150 patients receiving implant-supported restorations. Depending on which of the three prosthetic materials were utilized for their prosthesis-ceramic, metal, or polymer-the patients were randomized into one of three groups. Clinical assessments were carried out at baseline and at regular intervals for a minimum follow-up period of [insert time]. These evaluations included implant stability, peri-implant health, restorative integrity, patient satisfaction, and maintenance needs., Results: When compared to metal and polymer alternatives, ceramic restorations showed superior implant stability (75.2 ± 3.6 N cm), peri-implant health (1.8 ± 0.4), and restoration integrity (92%). Ceramic restorations had the greatest patient satisfaction ratings (8.5 ± 1.2), but there was no statistically significant difference between the material groups. Restorations made of polymers showed the greatest maintenance requirements (2.0 ± 0.9)., Conclusion: The choice of prosthetic material has a major impact on how well implant-supported restorations function clinically. Ceramic restorations performed better in terms of restoration quality, peri-implant health, and implant stability, demonstrating their appropriateness for producing positive long-term outcomes., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations (UN), rise in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) due to anthropogenic factors is considered as the primary driver for global climate change. With almost every major corporation around the world working towards their "net-zero goals", it is becoming increasingly important to have more technologies that can help reduce carbon footprint. Achieving sequestration of CO 2 in the subsurface through Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies like CO 2 -Enhanced Oil Recovery, CO 2 -Enhanced Geothermal Systems, CO 2 -Enhanced Coal Bed Methane, etc. is well accepted. We introduce yet another attractive CCUS opportunity through well rehabilitation. Aqua Freed ® and Aqua Gard ® are well-known well rehabilitation and preventive well maintenance technologies that utilize (inject underground) liquid CO 2 for the purpose. The goal of this study was to quantify the storage capacity of Aqua Freed ® and Aqua Gard ® , and establish their CCUS credentials. Depending on the well being serviced, these technologies can inject up to 40 US tons of CO 2 per well. Based on field data collection and statistical modeling, we estimated that 82-96% (median 90%) of the injected CO 2 remains in the subsurface post injection. Overall, our results and analysis of the US market suggest that using CO 2 for well rehabilitation and maintenance has a storage potential of several megatonnes of CO 2 annually in the US alone., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Conditions affecting the upper digestive system are often seen in clinical practice and are associated with a high rate of death and disability. Histopathological confirmation is one of the foundations for good treatment planning and the definite diagnosis of illnesses of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The numerous methods employed in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal lesions have come a long way in the previous 25 years. The identification and diagnosis of gastrointestinal lesions have been substantially aided by the development of endoscopy, endoscopic biopsy, and other surgical techniques. This research aimed to examine the variety of gastrointestinal tract (GI) lesions and to draw connections between the clinical and pathological manifestations of these conditions., Materials and Methods: A two-year cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, from June 2018 to May 2020, which included surgical specimens of 140 cases from the upper gastrointestinal tract, of which 111 cases were biopsy, and 29 cases were resected surgical specimens. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Furthermore, P values, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated., Results: This study was a two-year cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pathology during the period of June 2018-May 2020., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Background: In severe arthritis cases, goal of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) management is to attain pain-free joint and restore the overall limb alignment. There are limited short-term studies published from Indian hospitals that investigated the importance of neutral mechanical component alignment in TKA patients., Methods: Retrospective and prospective study was conducted at the Department of orthopaedics, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune from June 2020 to September 2022. Enrolled patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using clinical examination, radiological assessment and functional outcomes through the Oxford knee score, Knee society score and VAS score., Results: 204 patients enrolled, and 267 knees were evaluated for the study. Osteoarthritis was the commonest diagnosis (254 knees, 95.13%). Pre-operatively, 92.13% knees were varus, 4.87% valgus and 3% neutral while post-operatively, 51.69% were varus, 16.1% were valgus, and 32.32% were with neutral axis. Majority of patients with a pre-operative neutral axis converted to varus axis (62.5%), while most valgus axis cases preoperatively converted to a neutral axis (53.84%). For pre-operative varus subgroup, the majority patients with < 10° pre-operative axis converted to neutral (41.28%). Majority patients with 10°-20° pre-operative axis remained varus (60.53%) and with > 20° pre-operative axis remained varus (78.26%). Functional outcome parameters were significantly improved at follow-up ( P  < 0.05)., Conclusion: Short-term postoperative functional scores were significantly improved in postoperative cases, with the postoperative alignment of 0° ± 3° relative to the mechanical axis was achieved. Thus, postoperative neutral mechanical alignment of 0° ± 3° can be the standard of care for patients undergoing TKA., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Indian Orthopaedics Association 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

With the acquirement of antibiotic resistance, Shigella has resulted in multiple epidemics of shigellosis, an infectious diarrheal disease, causing thousands of deaths per year. Unfortunately, there are no licensed vaccines, primarily due to low or serotype-specific immunogenicity. Thus, conserved subunit vaccines utilizing recombinant invasion plasmid antigens (Ipa) have been explored as cross-protective vaccine candidates. However, achieving cross-protection against Shigella dysenteriae 1, which caused multiple pandemics/epidemics in the recent past, has been difficult. Therefore, a rational approach to improve cross-protection in the preparation for a possible pandemic should involve conserved proteins from S. dysenteriae 1 (Sd1). IpaC is one such conserved immunogenic protein that is less explored as an independent vaccine due to its instability/aggregation. Therefore, to improve cross-protection and potential immunogenicity and to be prepared for a future epidemic/pandemic, herein, we stabilized recombinant Sd1 IpaC, expressed without its chaperone, using a previously reported stabilizing detergent (LDAO) in a modified protocol and assessed its vaccine potential without an adjuvant. The protein assembled into heterogeneous complex spherical structures in the presence of LDAO and showed improved stability at storage temperatures of -80, -20, 4, 25, and 37 °C while providing enhanced yield and concentration. The protein could also be stably lyophilized and reconstituted, increasing the convenience of transportation and storage. Upon intranasal administration in BALB/c mice, the stabilized-IpaC-immunized groups generated significant antibody response and were not only protected against a high intraperitoneal dose of homologous S. dysenteriae 1 but also showed 100% survival against heterologous Shigella flexneri 2a without an adjuvant, while the control animals showed visible diarrhea (bloody-Sd1 challenge), lethargy, and weight loss with 0% survival. Overall, this work demonstrates that stabilized IpaC can be explored as a minimalist, self-adjuvanting, cross-protective, intranasal, single-antigen Shigella vaccine.

Finding narrow-band, ultrapure blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials is extremely important for developing highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, spin-vibronic coupling (SVC)-assisted ultrapure blue emitters obtained by joining two carbazole-derived moieties at a para position of a phenyl unit and performing substitutions using several blocking groups are presented. Despite a relatively large singlet-triplet gap (∆E ST ) of >0.2 eV, efficient triplet-to-singlet crossover can be realized, with assistance from resonant SVC. To enhance the spin crossover, electronic energy levels are fine-tuned, thereby causing ∆E ST to be in resonance with a triplet-triplet gap (∆E TT ). A sizable population transfer between spin multiplicities (>10 3 s -1 ) is achieved, and this result agrees well with theoretical predictions. An OLED fabricated using a multiple-resonance-type SVC-TADF emitter with CIE color coordinates of (0.15, 0.05) exhibits ultrapure blue emissions, with a narrow full-width-at-half-maximum of 21 nm and a high external quantum efficiency of 23.1%., (© 2021 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Laser photobiomodulation (LPBM), also called Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), has shown potential to reduce the pulpal inflammation and to preserve the dental pulp vitality, thereby improving healing. Lasers being minimally invasive, safe, and patient friendly prompt its application in pediatric dentistry., Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of LPBM and formocresol pulpotomy at 9 months post intervention in human primary molars., Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled, split-mouth study design was followed involving children aged 4-7 years with at least two primary molars indicated for pulpotomy. Sixty-eight eligible primary molars were randomly allocated to two interventions - formocresol pulpotomy (Group I) and LPBM pulpotomy (Group II)., Statistical Analyses: Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis fixing significance level at P ≤ 0.05., Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical success rates between the formocresol group (97.05%) and the photobiomodulation group (94.1%) (χ 2 = 0.34, P = 0.55); however, the radiographic success rate was significantly high in the laser group (94.1%) compared to the formocresol group (58.82%) (χ 2 = 11.76, P = 0.001)., Conclusion: LPBM could be a viable nonpharmaceutical alternative for formocresol pulpotomy in human primary teeth., Competing Interests: None

A novel violet emitter, 1,3-bis[10,10-dimethyl-10 H -indeno[2,1- b ]]indolo[3,2,1- jk ]indolo[1',2',3':1,7]indolo[3,2- b ]carbazole ( m -FLDID ), was designed and synthesized by meta -oriented bis -fusion of two 7,7-dimethyl-5,7-dihydroindeno[2,1- b ]carbazole ( DMID ) subunits for use in a pure violet organic light-emitting diode (OLED). Incorporation of the DMID subunits effectively reduced the nonradiative recombination rate, improving the photoluminescence quantum yield of the m -FLDID emitter. The meta -oriented bis -fusion of the two DMID subunits not only triggered an alternative distribution of the frontier orbitals but also effectively locked the π-conjugation chain, which ultimately resulted in a narrow-band, pure violet emission of the m -FLDID emitter. Doped m -FLDID devices possessed an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of > 5%, pure violet emission with a maximum at 407 nm, a narrow full width at half-maximum of 17 nm, and a Commission Internationale de l'éclairage y coordinate of less than 0.03. This is the first work reporting an EQE of > 5% and an extremely narrow emission spectrum for a pure violet emitter.

The Pseudomonas putida phenol-responsive regulator DmpR is a bacterial enhancer binding protein (bEBP) from the AAA + ATPase family. Even though it was discovered more than two decades ago and has been widely used for aromatic hydrocarbon sensing, the activation mechanism of DmpR has remained elusive. Here, we show that phenol-bound DmpR forms a tetramer composed of two head-to-head dimers in a head-to-tail arrangement. The DmpR-phenol complex exhibits altered conformations within the C-termini of the sensory domains and shows an asymmetric orientation and angle in its coiled-coil linkers. The structural changes within the phenol binding sites and the downstream ATPase domains suggest that the effector binding signal is propagated through the coiled-coil helixes. The tetrameric DmpR-phenol complex interacts with the σ 54 subunit of RNA polymerase in presence of an ATP analogue, indicating that DmpR-like bEBPs tetramers utilize a mechanistic mode distinct from that of hexameric AAA + ATPases to activate σ 54 -dependent transcription.

Objectives: We report on a rare case of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) in a patient with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that showed a novel translocation t(10;22)(q21;q11.22) and an interstitial deletion of 11q14.1-q23.3 in 2017. The chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) confirmed the 11q22 deletion and revealed a small interstitial deletion of IGL gene. In 2018, the patient presented with worsening lymphocytosis, anemia and thrombocytopenia. The peripheral blood smear revealed an increased prolymphocyte population, which comprised 60.4% of lymphoid cells, establishing a diagnosis of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. The CMA and G-banded chromosome analysis showed one additional aberration in the form of 1q gain translocated onto the other homologue 22. These findings suggested clonal evolution of CLL to B-PLL. The most common translocation involving immunoglobulin lambda chain (IGL) in CLL is the t(18;22), followed by t(8;22) and (11;22). An evolution to B-PLL occurs in most cases without gaining additional aberrations. Here, we report for the first time a novel translocation involving IGL with chromosome 10q21 and one 1q gain occurring in a patient with CLL that transformed to B-PLL. Based on the disease progression and this newly developed cytogenetic aberration, our case supports the progressive nature of CLL in the presence of IGL deletion and suggests the pathological role of 1q gain in CLL transformation., (Copyright© by the Association of Genetic Technologists.)

Background: Infertility is an iceberg phenomenon where the majority of couples are undiagnosed. The main challenge in estimating the actual burden of infertility is the paucity of population-based studies. Various sociocultural practices such as believing infertility as curse and seeking healing from supernatural powers are still predominant in the community. Hence, the present study was undertaken to know the prevalence and sociocultural practices of infertility in field practice area., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural and urban field practice areas of tertiary care hospital. A complete enumeration of all the houses was done to list all the eligible couples residing in the area; among them, those at risk of pregnancy were identified so as to find out couples with either primary or secondary infertility. Data were tabulated and analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. The results were expressed in terms of percentages, and Fisher's exact test was used wherever applicable., Results: The prevalence of infertility in rural area was 7.6% and in urban slum, it was 8.8%. Most of them think infertility as a result of past sins and practice unscientific methods to overcome the problem., Conclusion: Infertility stigma is high and there is no proper knowledge about infertility, fertile period and most of them think it as result of past sins., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

We present a case of a 61-year-old Caucasian woman who was hospitalized with fever on day 176 after a matched unrelated stem cell transplant for acute myelogenous leukemia. She developed hemorrhagic bullae on the skin of her right thigh, and both blood cultures and skin biopsy confirmed Fusarium proliferatum. Despite antifungal therapy, her condition worsened and she died while on comfort-only measures., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: This study was aimed at identifying Indian field isolates of Avibacterium paragallinarum on both molecular as well as serological levels that cause infectious coryza in chickens., Materials and Methods: Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (HPG-2 PCR), and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing were employed for molecular identification. Whereas, multiplex PCR technique was used for serological identification of Indian field isolates of A. paragallinarum ., Results: All three field isolates were identified as A. paragallinarum using HPG-2 PCR. The species-specific PCR results were validated using 16S rRNA sequencing. The partial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from all three isolates showed 96-99% homology with the NCBI database reference strains of A. paragallinarum . The aligned partial sequences of 16S rRNA were submitted to GenBank, and accession numbers were obtained. Multiplex PCR-based molecular serotyping showed that there are three serotypes of field isolates of A. paragallinarum , namely, strain IND101 is serovar A, strain IND102 is serovar B, and strain IND103 is serovar C., Conclusion: HPG-2 PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing, and multiplex PCR are proved to be more accurate, sensitive, and reliable diagnostic tools for molecular and serological identification of A. paragallinarum field isolates. These diagnostic methods can substitute conventional cultural characterization and would be much valuable to formulate quick and correct prevention and control measures against this detrimental poultry pathogen.

Repair of uracils in DNA is initiated by uracil DNA glycosylases (UDGs). Family 1 UDGs (Ung) are the most efficient and ubiquitous proteins having an exquisite specificity for uracils in DNA. Ung are characterized by motifs A (GQDPY) and B (HPSPLS) sequences. We report a novel dimeric UDG, Blr0248 (BdiUng) from Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Although BdiUng contains the motif A (GQDPA), it has low sequence identity to known UDGs. BdiUng prefers single stranded DNA and excises uracil, 5-hydroxymethyl-uracil or xanthine from it. BdiUng is impervious to inhibition by AP DNA, and Ugi protein that specifically inhibits family 1 UDGs. Crystal structure of BdiUng shows similarity with the family 4 UDGs in its overall fold but with family 1 UDGs in key active site residues. However, instead of a classical motif B, BdiUng has a uniquely extended protrusion explaining the lack of Ugi inhibition. Structural and mutational analyses of BdiUng have revealed the basis for the accommodation of diverse substrates into its substrate binding pocket. Phylogenetically, BdiUng belongs to a new UDG family. Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens presents a unique scenario where the presence of at least four families of UDGs may compensate for the absence of an efficient family 1 homologue., (© The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Background and Aims: C-MAC ® video laryngoscope (VL) with Macintosh blade has been found to improve Cormack-Lehane (C-L) laryngoscopic view as well as intubating conditions for orotracheal intubation. However, studies done on the performance of C-MAC ® VL for nasotracheal intubation (NTI) are very few in number. Hence, we compared laryngoscopy and intubating conditions between Macintosh direct laryngoscope and C-MAC ® VL for NTI., Methods: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I, II patients, aged 8-18 years, posted for tonsillectomy surgeries under general anaesthesia with NTI were randomised, into two groups. Patients in group 1 were intubated using Macintosh direct laryngoscope and group 2 with C-MAC ® VL. C-L grading, time required for intubation, need for additional manoeuvres and haemodynamic changes during and after intubation were compared between the groups., Results: C-L grade 1 views were obtained in 26 and 29 patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (86.7% vs. 96.7%). Remaining patients were having C-L grade 2 (13.3% vs. 3.3%). Duration of intubation was less than a minute in group 2 (93.3%). Need for additional manoeuvres (M1-M5) were more in group 1 (97% vs. 77%). M1 (external manipulation) was needed more in group 2 compared to group 1 (53.3% vs. 30%). Magill's forceps alone (M4) and M4 with additional external manipulation (M5) were needed more in group 1 compared to group 2 (60% vs. 16%)., Conclusion: The overall performance of C-MAC ® VL was better when compared to conventional direct Macintosh laryngoscope during NTI in terms of glottis visualisation, intubation time and need for additional manoeuvres.

Positive phenol-degradative gene regulator (PoxR) is a σ(54)-dependent AAA+ ATPase transcription activator that regulates the catabolism of phenols. The PoxR sensory domain detects phenols and relays signals for the activation of transcription. Here we report the first structure of the phenol sensory domain bound to phenol and five derivatives. It exists as a tightly intertwined homodimer with a phenol-binding pocket buried inside, placing two C termini on the same side of the dimer. His102 and Trp130 interact with the hydroxyl group of the phenol in a cavity surrounded by rigid hydrophobic residues on one side and a flexible region on the other. Each monomer has a V4R fold with a unique zinc-binding site. A shift at the C-terminal helix suggests that there is a possible conformational change upon ligand binding. The results provide a structural basis of chemical effector binding for transcriptional regulation with broad implications for protein engineering., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Neuropathology of resected brain tissue has revealed an association of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Recent studies have shown that the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is hyperactivated in FCD as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6 (S6) at serine 240/244 (S(240/244) ), a downstream target of mTOR. Moreover, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) has been shown to phosphorylate S6 at serine 235/236 (S(235/236) ) and tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) at serine 664 (S(664) ) leading to hyperactive mTOR signaling. We evaluated ERK phosphorylation of S6 and TSC2 in two types of FCD (FCD I and FCD II) as a candidate mechanism contributing to mTOR pathway dysregulation. Tissue samples from patients with tuberous sclerosis (TS) served as a positive control. Immunostaining for phospho-S6 (pS6(240/244) and pS6(235/236) ), phospho-ERK (pERK), and phospho-TSC2 (pTSC2) was performed on resected brain tissue with FCD and TS. We found increased pS6(240/244) and pS6(235/236) staining in FCD I, FCD II and TS compared to normal-appearing tissue, while pERK and pTSC2 staining was increased only in FCD IIb and TS tissue. Our results suggest that both the ERK and mTOR pathways are dysregulated in FCD and TS; however, the signaling alterations are different for FCD I as compared to FCD II and TS., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.)

An efficient, rapid oxidation of various aliphatic amines to oximes using m-CPBA as an oxidant in ethyl acetate is described. High conversion (100%) with >90% oxime selectivity is achieved at room temperature under catalyst-free conditions. Mild reaction conditions along with an easy work up procedure offer lower byproduct formation and high selectivity for oximes in good yield and purity.

Objective: The present prospective study examines the levels of maternal plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in normotensive control (NC) women and women with preeclampsia (PE) from early pregnancy till delivery., Methods: The present study includes 126 NC and 62 PE women. Maternal blood was collected at 3 time points during pregnancy (T1 = 16th-20th weeks, T2 = 26th-30th weeks and T3 = at delivery). Levels of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were estimated by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology., Results: Maternal plasma folate levels were similar between NC and PE women at all the time points across gestation. Maternal plasma vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in PE (p < 0.05) as compared with NC at T2. Maternal plasma homocysteine levels were higher in PE as compared with NC at all the time points, i.e. T1, T2 (p < 0.05 for both) and T3 (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Our results indicate that higher homocysteine levels exist in women with PE from early pregnancy and continue till delivery.

Renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysms, an uncommon complication of transplantation, may result in aneurysm rupture and loss of allograft. We report the case of 50-year-old female with back pain 3 weeks post renal transplantation. CT scan revealed transplant renal artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm arising from anastomosis of two renal arteries joined together to form a single renal artery that was joined to the aorta. Successful endovascular treatment was achieved with covered stents, resulting in preserved renal function. Follow-up ultrasound at one-day post procedure and CT at 2 months revealed satisfactory renal perfusion with no pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular treatment of transplant renal artery pseudoaneurysms with covered stent and ostial flare balloon technology may be preferred in patients with extensive prior pelvic surgery, as illustrated in this case.

We present the case of a 67-year-old female with melena and hypotension who was found to have a bleeding splenic artery pseudoaneurysm subjacent to a large gastric ulcer on computed tomographic angiography. The lesion was angiographically occult on standard anteroposterior and oblique projections. The offending vessel was identified on intraprocedure cone-beam computed tomography (CT). This case illustrates the value of intraprocedure cone-beam CT as a problem-solving tool for the interventional radiologist., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Unusual regio- and chemoselective oxidation of aromatic amines hindered with ortho substituents (except -NH2, -NHCH3, and -OH) to the corresponding nitro compounds is described by use of nonanebis(peroxoic acid). The mechanistic investigation for selective oxidation of amines ortho-substituted with -NH2 or -OH showed the involvement of H-bonding between the ortho hydrogen of the adjacent -XH group (where X = NH, NR, or O) and an oxygen atom from the diperoxy acid. Various mono- and diamines are oxidized into corresponding mononitro derivatives in high yield and purity without employing any protection strategies. The protocol was also found to successful on the gram scale.

Objective: Hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR; also known as mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway has been demonstrated in human cortical dysplasia (CD) as well as in animal models of epilepsy. Although inhibition of mTOR signaling early in epileptogenesis suppressed epileptiform activity in the neuron subset-specific Pten knockout (NS-Pten KO) mouse model of CD, the effects of mTOR inhibition after epilepsy is fully established were not previously examined in this model. Here, we investigated whether mTOR inhibition suppresses epileptiform activity and other neuropathological correlates in adult NS-Pten KO mice with severe and well-established epilepsy., Methods: The progression of epileptiform activity, mTOR pathway dysregulation, and associated neuropathology with age in NS-Pten KO mice were evaluated using video-electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. A cohort of NS-Pten KO mice was treated with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (10 mg/kg i.p., 5 days/week) starting at postnatal week 9 and video-EEG monitored for epileptiform activity. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the effects of rapamycin on the associated pathology., Results: Epileptiform activity worsened with age in NS-Pten KO mice, with parallel increases in the extent of hippocampal mTOR complex 1 and 2 (mTORC1 and mTORC2, respectively) dysregulation and progressive astrogliosis and microgliosis. Rapamycin treatment suppressed epileptiform activity, improved baseline EEG activity, and increased survival in severely epileptic NS-Pten KO mice. At the molecular level, rapamycin treatment was associated with a reduction in both mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling and decreased astrogliosis and microgliosis., Significance: These findings reveal a wide temporal window for successful therapeutic intervention with rapamycin in the NS-Pten KO mouse model, and they support mTOR inhibition as a candidate therapy for established, late-stage epilepsy associated with CD and genetic dysregulation of the mTOR pathway., (Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 International League Against Epilepsy.)

Our objective was to compare plaque volumes of multidetector computed tomographic images reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR), and filtered back projection (FBP). We reviewed 25 patients for a total of 50 extremities imaged on the same scanner. Calcified plaque FBP volume (3468.2 ± 2634.8 mm(3)) was higher than ASIR (2548.1 ± 2166.5 mm(3)). Calcified plaque FBP volume was higher than MBIR (mean=2345.7 ± 1935.4 mm(3)). Our findings suggest that traditional FBP methods overestimate disease compared to newer reconstruction methods., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Our earlier studies of preeclampsia (PE) at delivery have demonstrated the alteration of one carbon cycle, reduced placental omega 3 fatty acids, altered circulating levels of angiogenic factors and differential placental gene-specific methylation patterns of angiogenic factors. This study was undertaken to examine changes in the levels of angiogenic factors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibodies (AT1-AAs) throughout gestation, from early pregnancy until delivery, in women with PE and to examine their association with cord angiogenic factors, blood pressure and infant weight. A total of 81 pregnant women (46 normotensive and 35 with PE) were followed at three different time points during pregnancy: 16-20 weeks (T1), 26-30 weeks (T2) and at the time of delivery (T3). The plasma levels of angiogenic factors and AT1-AAs were determined in the maternal and cord plasma by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Maternal plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) were lower (P<0.05 for both), whereas soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1; P<0.05) and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (P<0.01) were higher in early pregnancy in the PE group. Maternal plasma AT1-AA levels were higher (P<0.05) at T2 in women with PE. Cord plasma VEGF and soluble kinase insert domain receptor (sKDR) levels were lower (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), whereas AT1-AA levels were higher (P<0.05) in the PE group. Maternal plasma VEGF levels in early pregnancy were positively associated with systolic blood pressure, whereas the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at T2 was negatively associated with infant weight in the PE group. Low levels of proangiogenic factors (VEGF and PlGF) and high levels of AT1-AAs and antiangiogenic factors (sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio) are present in the maternal circulation during early gestation in women with PE.

Purpose: For ultrasound reports to meet criteria for coding as abdomen complete (USABC), 8 elements are required: liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, inferior vena cava (IVC), and aorta. Failure to document all 8 results in coding as ultrasound abdomen limited. The purposes of our study were to identify deficiencies in documentation, implement a performance improvement intervention to address deficiencies, and evaluate the intervention., Methods: In the first phase, 50 consecutive USABC reports performed as part of routine medical care were retrospectively analyzed for the presence or absence of the 8 elements required for USABC coding. Subsequently, education regarding current procedural terminology coding in abdominal ultrasound and standardized macros was provided to radiologists. In the second, postintervention phase, an additional 50 consecutive USABC reports were analyzed for the presence or absence of the 8 elements., Results: In the first phase, none (0%) of 50 reports met criteria for USABC. The most commonly omitted elements were IVC (present in 2% of reports) and aorta (present in 6%). After intervention, there was an increase to 37 reports (74%) meeting criteria for USABC. The most commonly omitted elements were IVC (present in 76%) and aorta (present in 86%). Lack of 100% compliance was secondary to failure to update a macro and inaccurately scheduled studies (focused right lower quadrant/appendicitis study scheduled as USABC)., Conclusions: We improved USABC documentation from 0% to 74%. Our compliance rate after intervention was similar to the 75.1% of previously published larger studies. Our study illustrates the efficacy of simple performance improvement interventions to improve abdominal ultrasound documentation.

A new protocol for the oxidative bromination of aminoanthracene-9,10-dione, which is highly deactivated towards the electrophilic substitution is investigated. The peracid, nonanebis(peroxoic acid), possesses advantages such as better stability at room temperature, it is easy to prepare and non-shock sensitiv as compared to the conventional peracids. The present protocol has a broad scope for the bromination of various substituted and unsubstituted aminoanthracene-9,10-diones.

Cognitive impairments are prominent sequelae of prolonged continuous seizures (status epilepticus; SE) in humans and animal models. While often associated with dendritic injury, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is hyperactivated following SE. This pathway modulates learning and memory and is associated with regulation of neuronal, dendritic, and glial properties. Thus, in the present study we tested the hypothesis that SE-induced mTORC1 hyperactivation is a candidate mechanism underlying cognitive deficits and dendritic pathology seen following SE. We examined the effects of rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, on the early hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits associated with an episode of pilocarpine-induced SE. Rapamycin-treated SE rats performed significantly better than the vehicle-treated rats in two spatial memory tasks, the Morris water maze and the novel object recognition test. At the molecular level, we found that the SE-induced increase in mTORC1 signaling was localized in neurons and microglia. Rapamycin decreased the SE-induced mTOR activation and attenuated microgliosis which was mostly localized within the CA1 area. These findings paralleled a reversal of the SE-induced decreases in dendritic Map2 and ion channels levels as well as improved dendritic branching and spine density in area CA1 following rapamycin treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest that mTORC1 hyperactivity contributes to early hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits and dendritic dysregulation associated with SE.

Objective: The Khandesh region of Jalgaon district, India has a dense forest with plenty of medicinal plants which have been used as folklore medicines by the local people for many years. They use different parts of Ficus species to treat and cure diarrhea. Depending on the traditional use of some plants as antidiarrheal by local people of that region, the authors have selected three plants (specific parts) to evaluate their antidiarrheal activities in different animal models., Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 180 to 200 g of either sex were used in this study. There were eight groups for each individual study with 10 animals in each group. The antidiarrheal profile of the ethanolic extracts of the bark of Ficus bengalensis and the leaves of Ficus racemosa and Ficus carica from the region of Khandesh in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, India were evaluated by different experimental models, namely, castor oil-induced diarrhea, gastrointestinal motility test, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂)-induced enteropooling in Wistar albino rats., Results: The extracts of F. bengalensis (bark), F. racemosa (leaves) and F. carica (leaves) showed significant inhibitory activities against castor oil-induced diarrhea and PGE2-induced enteropooling in rats. The ethanolic extracts at 400 and 600 mg/kg significantly inhibited diarrhea. There was a significant dose-dependent decrease in diarrhea produced by all the three models in rats as compared to that of the standard drug group (P<0.01). Based on the results in experimental rat models, the ethanolic extract of Ficus species demonstrated significant reductions in faecal output and frequency of droppings when compared to the castor oil-treated rats (P<0.01). All plant extracts also significantly retarded the propulsion of charcoal meal and significantly inhibited PGE(2)-induced enteropooling., Conclusion: All these plant materials can be claimed as potential antidiarrheal agents. The underlying mechanism appears to be spasmolytic and an anti-enteropooling property by which the different plant extracts produced relief in diarrhea. Tannins and flavonoids present in the plant extracts may be responsible for the antidiarrheal activity.

The health of industrial workers often goes uncared for due to their stressful working conditions, busy schedules and poor economic conditions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of tooth loss, prosthetic status and treatment needs among industrial workers in Belgaum, Karnataka, India according to the criteria described in the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment form (1997). A total of 614 workers participated in the study. Information was obtained regarding their oral hygiene practice. The presence or absence of habits, and the frequency and duration since the last visit to a dentist were recorded followed by clinical examination. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the variables and tooth loss. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of missing teeth in different age groups, methods of cleaning, smoking habits and visits to the dentist. Regarding prosthetic status, only one worker had a fixed prosthesis in the mandibular arch. The study revealed that tooth loss was associated with oral hygiene practices, habits and visits to the dentist. Poor prosthetic status and high treatment needs were observed. This study emphasized the need for improved dental health awareness and availability of dental facilities to industrial workers.

The medicinal plants have been selected for thorough studies from indigenous folk medicines, Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha systems of medicines. The aim of this study deals with the comparative evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Ficus bengalensis in plants of different age. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by rat paw edema model induced by carrageenan for acute inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma model for chronic inflammation. Indomethacin was used as a standard drug. The various extracts were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats and the paw volume was measured plethysmometrically from 0 to 3h after injection. We have determined the anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of the bark of Ficus bengalensis with oral administration doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg/day of body weight to healthy animals. Positive results for flavonoids, sterols, and triterpene, tannins and saponins compounds were investigated by phytochemical analysis. The ethanolic extract of younger plant showed a greater anti-inflammatory effect compared with the standard drug indomethacin. Present studies besides confirming anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of younger more potent than mature plant help to identify from the comparative study of the bark of Ficus bengalensis.

Objective: The objective of this article is to provide a practical illustrated review of PET/CT in the imaging evaluation of transitional cell carcinoma., Conclusion: Local evaluation of the primary tumor in patients with transitional cell carcinoma on PET is often limited by the obscuring effect of excreted FDG, but assessment of metabolic activity may still be possible through close correlation with CT images. PET/CT may also be helpful in the detection of disease outside the bladder at nodal or more distant sites and in the assessment of recurrent disease.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis was carried out for the surface water of the Savitri river during the period of June 2005 to June 2007. BTEX compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Xylene & Ethyl benzene) were analyzed by using micro extraction technique (Purge & Trap). Concentrations of these BTEX compounds were ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 ppm during sampling period. Higher concentrations of BTEX were found at sampling location VI. Concentration of ethyl benzene was very low as compare to other compounds. However, the concentration of benzene was very high. Seasonal variations in conc. of BTEX compounds were observed and higher concentration was detected during the summer season. Salting-out effect had given higher quantification values. In PCA and PFA, the component loading for all the variables are positively correlated. Death of fishes was observed in the river that is indication of severe pollution problem.

Elevated nitric oxide (NO) and proton levels in synovial fluid are implicated in joint pathology. However, signaling pathways stimulated by these molecules that mediate inflammation and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have not been investigated. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of NO-proton stimulation of rat trigeminal neurons on the in vivo expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatases (MKPs) in trigeminal ganglion neurons and satellite glial cells. Low levels of the active MAPKs extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were localized in the cytosol of neurons and satellite glial cells in unstimulated animals. However, increased levels of active ERK and p38, but not JNK, were detected in the cytosol and nucleus of V3 neurons and satellite glial cells 15 min and 2 h following bilateral TMJ injections of an NO donor diluted in pH 5.5 medium. While ERK levels returned to near basal levels 24 h after stimulation, p38 levels remained significantly elevated. In contrast to MKP-2 and MKP-3 levels that were barely detectable in neurons or satellite glial cells, MKP-1 staining was readily observed in satellite glial cells in ganglia from unstimulated animals. However, neuronal and satellite glial cell staining for MKP-1, MKP-2, and MKP-3 was significantly increased in response to NO-protons. Increased active ERK and p38 levels as well as elevated MKP levels were also detected in neurons and satellite glial cells located in V2 and V1 regions of the ganglion. Our data provide evidence that NO-proton stimulation of V3 neurons results in temporal and spatial changes in expression of active ERK and p38 and MKPs in all regions of the ganglion. We propose that in trigeminal ganglia these cellular events, which are involved in peripheral sensitization as well as control of inflammatory and nociceptive responses, may play a role in TMJ pathology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cocoa bean preparations were first used by the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations of South America to treat a variety of medical ailments involving the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Diets rich in foods containing abundant polyphenols, as found in cocoa, underlie the protective effects reported in chronic inflammatory diseases. Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from trigeminal nerves promotes inflammation in peripheral tissues and nociception., Aim of the Study: To determine whether a methanol extract of Theobroma cacao L. (Sterculiaceae) beans enriched for polyphenols could inhibit CGRP expression, both an in vitro and an in vivo approach was taken., Results: Treatment of rat trigeminal ganglia cultures with depolarizing stimuli caused a significant increase in CGRP release that was repressed by pretreatment with Theobroma cacao extract. Pretreatment with Theobroma cacao was also shown to block the KCl- and capsaicin-stimulated increases in intracellular calcium. Next, the effects of Theobroma cacao on CGRP levels were determined using an in vivo model of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation. Capsaicin injection into the TMJ capsule caused an ipsilateral decrease in CGRP levels. Theobroma cacao extract injected into the TMJ capsule 24h prior to capsaicin treatment repressed the stimulatory effects of capsaicin., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that Theobroma cacao extract can repress stimulated CGRP release by a mechanism that likely involves blockage of calcium channel activity. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of diets rich in cocoa may include suppression of sensory trigeminal nerve activation.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate neuronal-glial cell signaling in trigeminal ganglia under basal and inflammatory conditions using an in vivo model of trigeminal nerve activation., Background: Activation of trigeminal ganglion nerves and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are implicated in the pathology of migraine. Cell bodies of trigeminal neurons reside in the ganglion in close association with glial cells. Neuron-glia interactions are involved in all stages of inflammation and pain associated with several central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the role of neuron-glia interactions within the trigeminal ganglion under normal and inflammatory conditions is not known., Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were utilized to study neuron-glia signaling in the trigeminal ganglion. Initially, True Blue was used as a retrograde tracer to localize neuronal cell bodies in the ganglion by fluorescent microscopy and multiple image alignment. Dye-coupling studies were conducted under basal conditions and in response to capsaicin injection into the TMJ capsule. S100B and p38 expression in neurons and glia were determined by immunohistochemistry following chemical stimulation. CGRP levels in the ganglion were measured by radioimmunoassay in response to capsaicin. In addition, the effect of CGRP on the release of 19 different cytokines from cultured glial cells was investigated by protein microarray analysis., Results: In unstimulated control animals, True Blue was detected primarily in neuronal cell bodies localized in clusters within the ganglion corresponding to the V3 region (TMJ capsule), V2 region (whisker pad), or V1 region (eyebrow and eye). However, True Blue was detected in both neuronal cell bodies and adjacent glia in the V3 region of the ganglion obtained from animals injected with capsaicin. Dye movement into the surrounding glia correlated with the time after capsaicin injection. Chemical stimulation of V3 trigeminal nerves was found to increase the expression of the inflammatory proteins S100B and p38 in both neurons and glia within the V3 region. Unexpectedly, increased levels of these proteins were also observed in the V2 and V1 regions of the ganglion. CGRP and the vesicle docking protein SNAP-25 were colocalized in many neuronal cell bodies and processes. Decreased CGRP levels in the ganglion were observed 2 hours following capsaicin stimulation. Using protein microarray analysis, CGRP was shown to differentially regulate cytokine secretion from cultured trigeminal ganglion glia., Conclusions: We demonstrated that activation of trigeminal neurons leads to changes in adjacent glia that involve communication through gap junctions and paracrine signaling. This is the first evidence, to our knowledge, of neuron-glia signaling via gap junctions within the trigeminal ganglion. Based on our findings, it is likely that neuronal-glial communication via gap junctions and paracrine signaling are involved in the development of peripheral sensitization within the trigeminal ganglion and, thus, are likely to play an important role in the initiation of migraine. Furthermore, we propose that propagation of inflammatory signals within the ganglion may help to explain commonly reported symptoms of comorbid conditions associated with migraine.