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Objective: To report a case of recalcitrant fungal keratitis successfully managed with topical caspofungin acetate in North India.Methods: Case report and literature review.Results: An 18-year-old male patient presented with complaints of redness, watering, pain and diminution of vision in the right eye and was referred to our centre as a case of corneal ulcer. The patient was examined and found to have a near total epithelial defect, with corneal infiltrates approximately 8x8 mm. A provisional diagnosis of polymicrobial keratitis was made based on corneal scraping suggestive of and confocal scan revealing fungal hyphae. The patient failed to respond to topical voriconazole 1%, natamycin 5% and moxifloxacin hydrochloride 0.5% with oral voriconazole. In view of the poor response to these drugs, the patient was subsequently administered topical caspofungin 0.5% in place of natamycin and continued on topical and oral voriconazole, in addition to topical moxifloxacin and cycloplegics, which finally led to healing with minimal scarring. The patient attained a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/12.Conclusion: Topical caspofungin may be used as a useful and effective alternative in cases of recalcitrant fungal keratitis. It may result in healing with minimal scarring.

In this study, novel numerical methods are presented for solving nonlinear Fisher equations. These equations have a wide range of applications in various scientific and engineering fields, particularly in the biomedical sciences for determining the size of brain tumors. The challenges posed by the nonlinearity of the equations are effectively addressed through the development of numerical techniques. The nonlinearity is tackled using a combination of the method of lines and backward differentiation formulas of varied orders. This method is unconditionally stable, and its accuracy is evaluated using error norms. The methods are successfully validated against test problems with known solutions, demonstrating their superiority through comparative analyses with existing methodologies in the literature.

In this work, the dynamics of a food chain model with disease in the predator and the Allee effect in the prey have been investigated. The model also incorporates a Holling type-III functional response, accounting for both disease transmission and predation. The existence of equilibria and their stability in the model have also been investigated. The primary objective of this research is to examine the effects of the Allee parameter. Hopf bifurcations are explored about the interior and disease-free equilibrium point, where the Allee is taken as a bifurcation point. In numerical simulation, phase portraits have been used to look into the existence of equilibrium points and their stability. The bifurcation diagrams that have been drawn clearly demonstrate the presence of significant local bifurcations, including Hopf, transcritical, and saddle-node bifurcations. Through the phase portrait, limit cycle, and time series, the stability and oscillatory behaviour of the equilibrium point of the model are investigated. The numerical simulation has been done using MATLAB and Matcont.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating inflammatory skin disease with a poorly understood immunopathogenesis. Here, we report that HS lesional skin is characterized by the expansion of innate lymphocytes and T cells expressing CD2, an essential activation receptor and adhesion molecule. Lymphocytes expressing elevated CD2 predominated with unique spatial distribution throughout the epidermis and hypodermis in the HS lesion. CD2+ cells were mainly innate lymphocytes expressing the NK cell marker, CD56, and CD4+ T cells. Importantly, these CD2+ cells interacted with CD58 (LFA3) expressing epidermal keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the hypodermis. Granzyme Abright NKT cells (CD2+CD3+CD56bright) clustered with α-SMA expressing fibroblasts juxtaposed to epithelialized tunnels and fibrotic regions of the hypodermis. Whereas NK cells (CD2+CD56dim) were perforin+, granzymes A+ and B+, and enriched adjacent to hyperplastic follicular epidermis and tunnels of HS showing presence of apoptotic cells. The cytokines IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, which enhance NK cell maturation and function were significantly elevated in HS. Ex vivo HS skin explant cultures treated with CD2:CD58 interaction-blocking anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody attenuated secretion of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and suppressed inflammatory gene signature. Additionally, CD2:CD58 blockade altered miRNAs involved in NK/NKT differentiation and/or function. In summary, we show that a cellular network of heterogenous NKT and NK cell populations drives inflammation and is critical in the pathobiology of HS, including tunnel formation and fibrosis. Finally, CD2 blockade is a viable immunotherapeutic approach for the effective management of HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior literature on the cultural determinants of cash holdings focuses on time-invariant cultural variables measured at the geographical level. These measures of culture do not capture the firm-level variation in corporate culture. Using a validated time-variant measure of firm-level corporate culture, specifically teamwork, we examine the effect of teamwork on a firm's cash holdings. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, we explore the effect of corporate teamwork culture on firms' cash holdings. Using sudden CEO turnover as an exogenous shock to a firm's teamwork culture, we find teamwork increases cash holdings. Also, we test and find two channels—financial constraint and agency—and two new labour-related channels—human capital quality and labour inefficiency—through which teamwork culture affects cash holdings. Our results are robust to endogeneity tests. Findings: We find that teamwork increases the cash holdings of firms. We find that a firm with a high teamwork culture has higher cash holdings: an increase of one standard deviation in teamwork leads to a 14.6% rise in the mean cash holdings. Originality/value: To our knowledge, our study is the first to introduce the firm-level teamwork cultural construct as a determinant of cash holdings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the correlation of different variables of Vogt striae to other attributes of keratoconus and to suggest a new grading system for Vogt striae to exactly represent the configuration and extent in each individual keratoconic cornea. The study was an observational and data review study. A total of 386 eyes of 207 keratoconus patients were screened from February 2016 to August 2018. Patients with prior history of collagen cross linking were excluded from the study as measurement of corneal thickness is less reliable for many months after collagen cross linking, and patients may have superficial corneal striae and scarring after collagen cross linking. Patients with history or clinical features suggestive of corneal hydrops or who had undergone lamellar or full thickness corneal transplants and intracorneal ring segments were also excluded from the study. Of total 52 eyes with Vogt striae, 31 eyes (59.6%) had vertical orientation, 3 (5.8%) had horizontal, 11 (21.2%) had oblique while 7 eyes (13.5%) had mixed orientation of Vogt striae. Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA) in the vertical group was 0.76 logMAR, horizontal group was 0.80 logMAR, oblique group was 0.65 logMAR, and mixed group was 1.17 logMAR units. Corneal scarring was present in 15 eyes (28.8%) and absent in 37 (71.2%) eyes with Vogt striae. In the mixed Vogt striae group, 85.7% eyes (6 eyes of 7) had corneal scarring, while 16.1% in vertical group (5 eyes of 31), and 27.3% in oblique group (3 of 11) had corneal scarring. Based on three attributes of Vogt striae, that is orientation, number, and corneal scarring, a new grading for Vogt striae was also suggested. This is the first study to report the presence of mixed Vogt striae (combination of horizontal and/or vertical and/or oblique Vogt striae in a single cornea) in cases of keratoconus. For the first time, oblique Vogt striae have been described, and clear limits have been set to call it horizontal, oblique, or vertical striae. A new grading for Vogt striae is also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into yoga therapy represents a transformative paradigm shift in holistic health management. This article explores the evolving landscape of AI in yoga therapy, encompassing recent advancements, potential applications, ethical considerations, and implications for well-being. Recent advancements in AI have enabled real-time monitoring and personalized interventions during yoga practice, offering unprecedented customization and efficacy. AI-powered virtual assistants and telehealth platforms extend the reach of yoga therapy interventions, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity. However, ethical considerations surrounding privacy, autonomy, equity, transparency, and cultural sensitivity must be carefully addressed to ensure responsible deployment and safeguard the well-being of individuals. By prioritizing ethical principles and values, stakeholders can harness AI's transformative potential to advance the yoga therapy field and promote holistic well-being for individuals and communities worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel numerical approach, which is based on the Method of Lines. This method semi-discretizes the problem and produces a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in time. To solve this system, a stiff solver, BDF2, is used, which yields very precise results. The linearization is handled by the Taylor series method. To validate the numerical method, various test examples are considered. These formulas find extensive applications across various scientific and engineering domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]