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Age-appropriate sexuality education is considered a vital factor in promoting sexual and reproductive health. This study aimed to provide sexuality education through mindfulness activities based on assessing prior knowledge and attitudes and measuring post-intervention effectiveness. A pilot study using a one-group pretest-posttest design was carried out on 33 Indian destitute female adolescents in the age group of 13 to 16 in an institutional home, a residential care facility for a larger population in India. The program incorporated mindfulness activities and traditional teaching methods, with eight sessions each lasting one hour per week. The data was collected using a validated questionnaire to measure knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality education and were analyzed using the paired t-test to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. The results showed a significant difference in the overall knowledge and attitudes toward sexuality education post-intervention. In conclusion, sexuality education using mindfulness activities can facilitate a non-judgmental and present-moment awareness when learning about sexual and reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nLAY SUMMARYComprehensive sexuality education (CSE) provides coherent information to promote the well-being of individuals irrespective of age, gender, and qualification. It provides complete knowledge to understand the reproductive system, sexuality, gender, different life skills, sexually transmitted diseases, and contraceptives. This study aims to understand the different modes of delivery, study design, essential topics covered, and implications of different studies in the CSE intervention. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were used for a systematic literature review. Studies between 2008 and 2023, indexed and cited in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Sage Journal, and Google Scholar were incorporated. It is inferred that the studies in the literature promote age-appropriate CSE intervention to implement in different populations. This systematic literature review on CSE intervention provides a strong foundation for understanding the different implications of sexuality education, the different modes, topics, theoretical framework, and study designs. However, the modules proposed earlier in the literature have not focused on the aforementioned components in CSE. Finally, this review suggests to researchers the necessity and development of an appropriate module to deliver and spread more awareness among the study population in society.The current review is beneficial in understanding the different topics and methodologies under CSE used in the literature to provide innovative intervention plans for the betterment of society which have not been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: HIV infection is known to cause coagulation abnormalities by various mechanism, especially during its late course. Aim: The objective of this study is to analyse platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time among HIV infected patients and to analyse these parameters with respect to their CD4 count and ART status. Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted with 120 HIV infected patients and 40 normal individuals. The blood samples were collected after obtaining consent from the subjects. The blood samples were processed for platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and CD4 count. The results were tabulated and analysed with statistical package. Results: The platelet count was significantly decreased in HIV infected patients compared to controls. Though HIV patients with CD4 count less than 200cells/mm3 showed a decreased platelet count compared to those with CD4 count greater than 200cells/mm3 , it was not statistically significant. Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) was significantly prolonged in HIV patients, but only aPTT showed significant inverse correlation with CD4 count. None of the parameters showed statistical significance on comparing HIV patients on ART with those not on ART. Conclusion: Basic coagulation tests like platelet count, PT and especially aPTT can be used as prospective screening test to assess severity in HIV patients in resource limited settings where CD4 count is not available.

Background: HIV is pandemic and remains as a public health concern for many decades. This infection though associated with many opportunistic infections and neoplasms, it is further complicated with marked hematological abnormalities. The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude & severity of hematological abnormalities in HIV infected individuals and also to analyze these abnormalities in correlation with the CD4 counts. We also compared these hematological abnormalities in patients on ART and those not on ART. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for a period of one year, on 120 HIV positive cases including both patients on ART & not on ART. Controls with similar age and sex distribution was set up. The blood samples were collected and processed in an automated cell counter. The parameters were tabulated and analyzed with respect to CD4 count & ART status. Results: Among the total of 120 HIV cases, 77% had anemia, 21% had leucopenia and 5% had thrombocytopenia. The magnitude and severity of anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and other parameters was found to be more in patients not on ART, when compared to patients on ART. Similarly, the magnitude and severity of most of hematological abnormalities were inversely proportional to the CD4 count in non-ART cases but not with cases on ART. Conclusion: The basic hematological parameters can be used as a prospective screening test to assess the severity and progression of HIV infection when CD4 count is not available. These parameters can also be used to assess the response to anti-retroviral treatment. Therefore, these basic hematological investigations readily available at all medical centers are of great use while treating HIV infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimal/Measurable residual disease (MRD) is the most reliable and powerful indicator of prognosis in B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). Modulation of antigenic expression in leukemic cells is known to occur postchemotherapy and thus carries a potential risk of false MRD quantification by flowcytometry. We studied the immunophenotypic modulation of nine antigens in residual leukemic cells at postinduction MRD assessment in 31 BCP - ALL children. We found significant downmodulation of CD10, CD38, CD58, CD81 and upmodulation of CD19, CD45 in leukemic cells. Downmodulation of CD34 was observed but was not statistically significant. Expression of CD20 and CD22 remained stable in most of the cases. MRD-positive cases showed loss of diagnostic LAIP and some showed gain of new LAIP compared to baseline. Various combination of antibodies including the novel markers should be incorporated into the panel to increase the sensitivity of MRD detection.

The aim and objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to perform automated segmentation of knee thermal image using the regional isotherm-based segmentation (RIBS) algorithm and segmentation of ultrasound image using the image J software; (ii) to implement the RIBS algorithm using computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) tools for classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and normal subjects based on feature extraction values; and (iii) to correlate the extracted thermal imaging features and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) features in the knee region with the biochemical parameters in RA patients. Thermal image analysis based on skin temperature measurement and thermal image segmentation was performed using the RIBS algorithm in the knee region of RA patients and controls. There was an increase in the average skin temperature of 5.94% observed in RA patients compared to normal. CDUS parameters such as perfusion, effusion and colour fraction for the RA patients were found to be 1.2 ± 0.5, 1.8 ± 0.2 and 0.052 ± 0.002, respectively. CDUS measurements were performed and analysed using the image J software. Biochemical parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) showed significant positive correlation with the thermal imaging parameters. The CDUS parameters such as effusion, perfusion and colour fraction correlated significantly with the clinical and functional assessment score. According to the results of this study, both infrared (IR) thermal imaging and CDUS offer better diagnostic potential in detecting early-stage RA. Therefore, the developed CAD model using thermal imaging could be used as a pre-screening tool to diagnose RA in the knee region.

Introduction: HIV infection is known to cause coagulation abnormalities by various mechanism, especially during its late course., Aim: The objective of this study was to analyse platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time among HIV infected patients and to analyse these parameters with respect to their CD4 count and ART status., Materials and Methods: A case control study was conducted with 120 HIV infected patients and 40 normal individuals. The blood samples were collected after obtaining consent from the subjects. The blood samples were processed for platelet count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and CD4 count. The results were tabulated and analysed with statistical package., Results: The platelet count was significantly decreased in HIV infected patients compared to controls. Though HIV patients with CD4 count less than 200cells/mm(3) showed a decreased platelet count compared to those with CD4 count greater than 200cells/mm(3), it was not statistically significant. Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) was significantly prolonged in HIV patients, but only aPTT showed significant inverse correlation with CD4 count. None of the parameters showed statistical significance on comparing HIV patients on ART with those not on ART., Conclusion: Basic coagulation tests like platelet count, PT and especially aPTT can be used as prospective screening test to assess severity in HIV patients in resource limited settings where CD4 count is not available.

Background: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important investigation in preoperative diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Follicular variant of papillary carcinoma thyroid (FVPTC) is a well defined entity in histopathology, but its diagnosis in FNAC is usually missed and is challenging compared to classic papillary thyroid carcinoma., Aims: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze cytological features in histologically confirmed cases of FVPTC, compare them with literature and document the features that could increase the sensitivity of FNAC diagnosis., Materials and Methods: Cytological smears from 22 histologically confirmed cases of FVPTC were evaluated for microscopic pattern and nuclear features by two independent pathologists and results compared with previous studies. Statistical analysis was done based on bivariate Pearson's correlation coefficient., Results: Among 22 cases 21 were female and one male with age range 21 - 50 years. All patients had a solitary nodule except one with multicentric presentation. Preoperative cytological diagnosis were, classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); 7, FVPTC; 3, suspicious for PTC; 4, follicular neoplasm; 5 and adenomatous goiter;3. Diagnosis upon cytological review were, FVPTC; 11, classic PTC; 7 , suspicious for PTC; 2, follicular adenoma;1 and adenomatous goiter; 1., Conclusion: We conclude that cellular smears with features as observed in our case like microfollicular pattern, syncytial clusters, fine powdery chromatin, anisonucleosis and nucleomegaly should alert the pathologist to look carefully for other more specific features like nuclear grooves and nuclear pseudoinclusions. This approach will help in avoiding misdiagnosis of FVPTC and would aid in choosing the right treatment modality.

Rhabdomyosarcoma, a tumor of skeletal muscle origin, appears developmentally arrested at an early stage in the myogenic differentiation pathway. The proliferation of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line Rh30 is dependent on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II/IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) signaling pathway and is highly sensitive to recombinant human IFN-alpha 2a, which induces growth arrest and differentiation of these malignant myoblasts. IFN-alpha 2a-induced growth arrest of Rh30 cells was observed within 48 h, and reduction in colony formation was obtained with an IC50 of 0.81 IU/ ml for 72 h exposure. Down-regulated expression of IGF-IR was apparent by 24 h after initiation of IFN-alpha 2a treatment. Furthermore, an initial increase followed by reduced expression of MyoD, in concert with elevated expression of myogenin, increased frequency of skeletal muscle myosin-positive cells, and the formation of multinucleated cells, indicated an enhancement of differentiation of Rh30 cells in the presence of IFN-alpha 2a. To probe the role of IGF-IR in the differentiation of Rh30 cells along the myogenic lineage, the effect of antisense RNA-mediated reduction of endogenous IGF-IR on growth and expression of muscle-specific proteins was determined. Rh30 cells transfected to stably express antisense IGF-IR (clone AS [symbol: see text] 23)showed significant reduction in growth rate, decreased expression of IGF-IR protein, increased expression of MyoD, myosin heavy chain, and an increased number of multinucleated cells in comparison to the parental line. These data are consistent with overexpression of IGF-IR inhibiting differentiation. IFN-alpha 2a treatment of AS [symbol: see text] 23 cells further induced both MyoD and myogenin expression, thereby allowing cells to proceed further downstream of the differentiation pathway.

A synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of clone CEM-C7 cells, but not in clone CEM-C1 cells, even though they contain glucocorticoid receptors (GR). We previously showed that suppression of c-myc is a critical step in glucocorticoid-induced cell lysis of C7 cells. It is not reduced in C1 cells. In this study we review the basis for this conclusion and present evidence that the glucocorticoid antagonist RU 486 rescues DEX-treated C7 cells from cell death. An increase in DEX-repressed c-myc mRNA levels precedes the recovery of cell growth. A threshold level of Myc expression appears to be required to maintain growth and viability of C7 cells. Although C1 cells are highly resistant to lysis by glucocorticoids, addition of forskolin, an inducer of protein kinase A, synergizes to evoke complete apoptosis. This synergistic effect is prevented by RU 486, indicating direct involvement of the GR.

Glucocorticoids evoke cytolysis in clonal human leukemic CEM-C7 cells. Suppression of c-myc mRNA by dexamethasone closely correlates with cell lysis only in CEM clones with both glucocorticoid receptor and intact lysis functions. We tested the theory that c-myc repression is essential for glucocorticoid-induced lymphocytolysis by preventing down-regulation of c-myc gene in the presence of dexamethasone and by reducing c-myc mRNA levels with antisense oligonucleotides. We find that sustained expression of c-myc provides resistance to dexamethasone-induced lysis, and antisense c-myc oligomers induce cell lysis. The lethal effects of dexamethasone in these leukemic cells appear to involve reduction of c-myc below the levels required to maintain cellular growth and integrity.

We have examined clones of human malignant lymphoid cells for markers that correlate with glucocorticoid-mediated cell lysis. In glucocorticoid-sensitive clones of CEM, a human T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia line, two genes correlate with glucocorticoid-induced cell lysis. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) itself is induced by standard glucocorticoids in sensitive clones and not in insensitive clones. The phenylpyrazolo-glucocorticoid cortivazol (CVZ) is capable of lysing several clones resistant to high concentrations of standard potent glucocorticoids. When these clones were tested for cortivazol responses, they were not only lysed by cortivazol but also showed induction of GR mRNA. Thus receptor induction appears to correlate with the lysis function of receptor in these cells. To determine what parts of the GR are required for lysis, we have mapped this function by transfecting and expressing GR and GR fragment genes in a GR-deficient CEM clone. Our results indicate that none of the known trans-activation regions of the GR are required. Removal of the steroid binding domain gives a fragment that is fully constitutive. Only one and one-half "Zn fingers" of the DNA binding region are required. We also find in CEM cells rapid suppression of the c-myc protooncogene, preceding growth arrest and cell lysis by glucocorticoids. This occurs only in clones possessing both intact receptors and lysis function. Thus the simple presence of GR alone is not sufficient to guarantee c-myc down-regulation. Introduction into the cells of c-myc driven by a promoter that does not permit suppression by glucocorticoids confers resistance to steroids. Furthermore, suppression of c-myc by antisense oligonucleotides also kills the cells. Therefore, c-myc appears to be a pivotal gene related both to ability of steroid to kill and to cell viability.