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Multiport interferometers based on integrated beamsplitter meshes have recently captured interest as a platform for many emerging technologies. In this paper, we present a novel architecture for multiport interferometers based on the sine–cosine fractal decomposition of a unitary matrix. Our architecture is unique in that it is self-similar, enabling the construction of modular multi-chiplet devices. Due to this modularity, our design enjoys improved resilience to hardware imperfections as compared to conventional multiport interferometers. Additionally, the structure of our circuit enables systematic truncation, which is key in reducing the hardware footprint of the chip as well as compute time in training optical neural networks, while maintaining full connectivity. Numerical simulations show that truncation of these meshes gives robust performance even under large fabrication errors. This design is a step forward in the construction of large-scale programmable photonics, removing a major hurdle in scaling up to practical machine learning and quantum computing applications.

The critical current density in RABiTS (rolling assisted biaxially textured substrates) based coated conductors is limited by the network of small-angle grain boundaries up to a texture dependent crossover field H∞. The current flow through this network is percolative in nature and thus depends on misorientation angle distribution, the width and length of the tape, and on the grain shape. These dependencies were simulated using a fast and simple limiting path algorithm on real grain boundary networks obtained by electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and cross-checked with transport measurements. A strong dependence of Jc on conductor width below 20 grains and a large increase in Jc for elongated grains was found. H∞ of tapes with very sharp cube textures are around 1 T at 77 K. Hence, the intra-grain pinning must be increased for a further improvement of coated conductors applied in higher magnetic fields. With transport measurements on YBa2(Cu1-xZnx)3O7-δ single crystalline thin films, the possibility of a Jc increase due to Zn doping was investigated. Monolayer films with Zn contents up to 0.2%, however, showed a decrease in Jc and Hirr, whereas multilayer films with x = 0.017% and x = 0.025% Zn) showed an increase in Jc at 77 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite being a rare disease entity, Thymoma and Thymic carcinomas represent the most common cause of anterior mediastinal mass. Clinical course is widely varied from an indolent course to florid metastatic disease with paraneoplastic manifestation. Treatment guidelines are based on small phase 2 studies. Data of chemotherapy in advanced thymoma is limited. Methods It is a retrospective study of advanced thymic epithelial tumors treated with chemotherapy over a period of 7 years (2011 -2017). All patients with unresectable /metastatic thymic tumours and who have received chemotherapy as were included in the study. Independent review of radiology images and histopathology slides were performed. Results There were 55 cases registered with thymic malignancy and 32 cases were analyzed for present study. Among them 27 cases were thymoma, 3 were thymic carcinoma and 2 were thymic NET. The median age was 39 years (22 65 years). Male: female ratio was 3: 1. The median duration of symptoms was 5.9 months (0-36 months). Twelve cases (38%) had features of superior vena cava obstruction at presentation. The mean size of mediastinal mass was 8.9 + 3.26 (range 2-15 cm). More than half of the cases (56%) showed calcification. Mediastinal lymph nodes were seen in 14 patients (46%). There was pleural involvement in 14 patients (73%) and pericardial involvement in 13 cases (43%). Pleural effusion was seen in 17(53%). Only 5 cases had stage III, 18 had stage Iva and 9 had stage IVb disease. The most common histological subtype as per WHO classification was B1 in 11 patients (34%) followed by B3 in 9 patients (28%) in our cohort. Out of 32 cases 3 have had upfront R2 resection. Post chemotherapy, one case attained CR, 10 had PR, 13 had SD and 3 had PD. 6 cases underwent surgery post induction therapy. 3 had R1 resection and 3 had R2 resection. Cisplatin, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (CAP) remains first choice for chemotherapy in 81% patients followed by paclitaxel-carboplatin in 12.5%. Radiation therapy was given to 13 patients. After a median follow up of 24.86 months, median PFS is 16.1 months and median OS was not reached. Conclusions Thymic malignancies are a heterogeneous group of disorders. Multi-modality treatment including chemotherapy is an effective and feasible treatment for advanced thymoma. Legal entity responsible for the study All authors are equally responsible. Institute ethics committee has given the clearance. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigators in neuroscience have turned to Big Data to address replication and reliability issues by increasing sample size. These efforts unveil new questions about how to integrate data across distinct sources and instruments. The goal of this study was to link scores across common auditory verbal learning tasks (AVLTs). This international secondary analysis aggregated multisite raw data for AVLTs across 53 studies totaling 10,505 individuals. Using the ComBat-GAM algorithm, we isolated and removed the component of memory scores associated with site effects while preserving instrumental effects. After adjustment, a continuous item response theory model used multiple memory items of varying difficulty to estimate each individual's latent verbal learning ability on a single scale. Equivalent raw scores across AVLTs were then found by linking individuals through the ability scale. Harmonization reduced total cross-site score variance by 37% while preserving meaningful memory effects. Age had the largest impact on scores overall (- 11.4%), while race/ethnicity variable was not significant (p > 0.05). The resulting tools were validated on dually administered tests. The conversion tool is available online so researchers and clinicians can convert memory scores across instruments. This work demonstrates that global harmonization initiatives can address reproducibility challenges across the behavioral sciences., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Deficits in memory performance have been linked to a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. While many studies have assessed the memory impacts of individual conditions, this study considers a broader perspective by evaluating how memory recall is differentially associated with nine common neuropsychiatric conditions using data drawn from 55 international studies, aggregating 15,883 unique participants aged 15-90. The effects of dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder on immediate, short-, and long-delay verbal learning and memory (VLM) scores were estimated relative to matched healthy individuals. Random forest models identified age, years of education, and site as important VLM covariates. A Bayesian harmonization approach was used to isolate and remove site effects. Regression estimated the adjusted association of each clinical group with VLM scores. Memory deficits were strongly associated with dementia and schizophrenia ( p < 0.001), while neither depression nor ADHD showed consistent associations with VLM scores ( p > 0.05). Differences associated with clinical conditions were larger for longer delayed recall duration items. By comparing VLM across clinical conditions, this study provides a foundation for enhanced diagnostic precision and offers new insights into disease management of comorbid disorders.

Introduction: Access to childcare is an understudied social determinant of health (SDOH). Our health system established a childcare facility for patients to address childcare barriers to healthcare. Recognizing that social risk factors often co-exist, we sought to understand intersecting social risk factors among patients with childcare needs who utilized and did not utilize the childcare facility and identify residual unmet social needs alongside childcare needs., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of patients who enrolled in the childcare facility from November 2020 to October 2022 to compare parameters of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) associated with the census tract extracted from electronic medical record (EMR) data among utilizers and non-utilizers of the facility. Overall SVI and segmentation into four themes of vulnerability (socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial/ethnic minority status, and housing type/transportation) were compared across utilizers and utilizers. Number of 90th percentile indicators were also compared to assess extreme levels of vulnerability. A sample of utilizers additionally received a patient-reported social needs screening questionnaire administered at the childcare facility., Results: Among 400 enrollees in the childcare facility, 70% utilized childcare services and 30% did not. Utilizers and non-utilizers were demographically similar, though utilizers were more likely to speak Spanish (34%) compared to non-utilizers (22%). Mean SVI was similar among utilizers and non-utilizers, but the mean number of 90th percentile indicators were higher for non-utilizers compared to utilizers (4.3 ± 2.7 vs 3.7 ± 2.7, p = 0.03), primarily driven by differences in the housing type/transportation theme (p = 0.01). Non-utilizers had a lower rate of healthcare utilization compared to utilizers (p = 0.02). Among utilizers who received patient-reported screening, 84% had one unmet social need identified, of whom 62% agreed for additional assistance. Among social work referrals, 44% were linked to social workers in their medical clinics, while 56% were supported by social work integrated in the childcare facility., Conclusions: This analysis of SDOH approximated by SVI showed actionable differences, potentially transportation barriers, among patients with childcare needs who utilized a health system-integrated childcare facility and patients who did not utilize services. Furthermore, residual unmet social needs among patients who utilized the facility demonstrate the multifactorial nature of social risk factors experienced by patients with childcare needs and opportunities to address intersecting social needs within an integrated intervention. Intersecting social needs require holistic examination and multifaceted interventions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide posing greater health challenge. The poor survival rate from breast cancer in India may be attributed to lack of awareness, low rate of screening uptake and presentation of cases in advanced stage., Objectives: To assess the baseline knowledge and effectiveness of educational intervention in improving the knowledge regarding breast cancer., Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental community-based health educational intervention study was performed among 100 women and 18 female primary healthcare providers residing in urban field practice area. Face-to-face interviews were performed using a questionnaire adapted from the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (Breast-CAM) Version 2. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. To assess the difference between pre- and postintervention scores, Mc-Nemar's test and paired sample t tests were applied. Association between socio-demographic variables and difference in mean scores was assessed by using ANOVA and independent t test. P value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant., Results: The mean pre-intervention score of knowledge items (21 including warning signs, risk factors of breast cancer) among 100 women participants was 7.19 ± 3.45 and postintervention mean score was 18.18 ± 2.42. The mean pre-intervention score among 18 primary healthcare providers was 10.89 ± 4.59 and postintervention score was 19.89 ± 1.28. There was significant improvement in mean scores. The increase in percentage of scores in all 21 items postintervention was significant (Mc-Nemar's test). There was significant association between socio-demographic profile and increase in mean scores. The study identified various barriers for seeking medical care among women., Conclusion: The community-based educational intervention was effective in enhancing the knowledge regarding breast cancer among women., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

Globally, the need to enhance the diversity of trial participants is receiving increasingly urgent attention. We wanted to know whether trials run in India had adequately sampled the country's enormous ethnic diversity. We accessed the Clinical Trials Registry-India website to determine whether each interventional drug or biologic Phase 2 or 3 study, registered in a recent five-year period had run in each of six geographic zones. As regards Phase 3 trials conducted only in India, 61.4% ran in a single zone and just 6.8% were conducted in all six zones. Multinational Phase 3 trials had a better distribution since 3.6% had run in just one zone and 7.1% in all six. India's diverse ethnic groups are underrepresented in the majority of trials covered in this study. A trial that is conducted on non-representative groups and later discovered to be harmful or ineffective in parts of the population, is unethical. We propose various remedial steps., Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Studies from developed countries show the prevalence of permanent childhood hearing loss to be 1 to 2 per thousand children. The estimated number of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists and otologists in India were 7000 and 2000. There is a great need for trained CI surgeons to care for that burden. Currently, only a handful of centres in the country provide CI training. This study aims to put together essential and desirable requisites for a clinical fellowship in CI surgery for ENT surgeons. A questionnaire was prepared and validated by 25 senior CI surgeons in India. Then the sixteen-question questionnaire was prepared and administered to 100 practising CI Surgeons (Group A) and 100 probable CI Fellowship Candidates (Group B). Group B involved surgeons currently pursuing their ENT post-graduation or have completed their postgraduate training and are inclined towards otology and CI surgery in the future. The responses ranged from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree) on a Likert Scale. The responses from both groups were analyzed, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS(Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. The results were analysed and tabulated from both groups. The weighted mean response and mean opinion to all the questions were calculated for both groups. Based on the response, "Essential" and "Desirable" criteria are given., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors have no competing interests to declare relevant to this article’s content., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 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.)

Viruses are extremely complex and highly evolving microorganisms; thus, it is difficult to analyse them in detail. The virion is believed to contain all the essential components required from its entry to the establishment of a successful infection in a susceptible host cell. Hence, the virion composition is the principal source for its transmissibility and immunogenicity. A virus is completely dependent on a host cell for its replication and progeny production. Occasionally, they recruit and package host proteins into mature virion. These incorporated host proteins are believed to play crucial roles in the subsequent infection, although the significance and the molecular mechanism regulated are poorly understood. One such host protein which is hijacked by several viruses is the glycolytic enzyme, Enolase (Eno-1) and is also packaged into mature virion of several viruses. This enzyme exhibits a highly flexible nature of functions, ranging from metabolic to several non-metabolic activities. All the glycolytic enzymes are known to be moonlighting proteins including enolase. The non-metabolic functions of this moonlighting protein are also highly diverse with respect to its cellular localization. Although very little is known about the virological significance of this enzyme, several of its non-metabolic functions have been observed to influence the virus replication cycle in infected cells. In this review, we have attempted to provide a comprehensive picture of the non-metabolic role of Eno-1, its significance in the virus replication cycle and to stimulate interest around its scope as a therapeutic target for treating viral pathologies., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Submandibular sialadenitis is a common ailment in otorhinolaryngological and oral surgical practice. Some of the common causes of sialadenitis include sialolithiasis, inspissated mucous plugs, strictures and anatomical ductal variations. Very rarely do foreign bodies cause obstructive sialadenitis. Fish bone as a foreign body is routinely seen, with the most common locations being oropharynx, hypopharynx, oseophagus and tongue. We report an intriguing case of a 40 year old male with sialadenitis of the right submandibular gland due to an intra-ductal fish bone., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2020.)

To develop an accurate protocol for measuring the Cochlear Duct Length (CDL) by using Multi Detector Computerized Tomography (MDCT) imaging of the temporal bones and thereby make the appropriate choice of electrode for cochlear implantation. 79 MED-EL® Cochlear implantees were divided into three cohorts in chronological order of their implantation. CDL was calculated from MDCT images and correlated with the CDL calculated using the existing Jolly's formula. Results of the CDL measured by unfurling the cochlea correlated well with the existing formula. In addition to CDL measurement, measuring diameter of each turn, especially the apical turn, helped in choosing the appropriate electrode for complete cochlear coverage. Having dedicated radiographers and neuro-radiologists can avoid inter-observer variations in CDL measurements. Measuring the CDL and the diameter of each turn helps in choosing an appropriate electrode thus minimizing intra-operative difficulties and achieving complete safe insertion., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2021.)

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common vestibular disorder characterized by recurrent, brief episodes of vertigo, is attributed to the presence of otoconia in the semicircular canals. Two mechanisms contribute to its cause-canalolithiasis (otoconia freely mobile in the semicircular canal) and cupulolithiasis (otoconia adherent to the cupula). Posterior semicircular canal is the most common canal involved. Although the occurrence of BPPV in lateral and superior semicircular canal is rare, with the advancement in diagnostic techniques, their incidence is being reported in the past few years. Various diagnostic tests and therapeutic maneuvers have been described in the management of BPPV. The present report is a comprehensive review of the tests and maneuvers for BPPV written as a guide intended to help the clinicians in the accurate diagnosis and application of a canal-specific treatment maneuver for BPPV. A simplified algorithmic approach ("The Bangalore BPPV Algorithm") for the management of BPPV is described., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2021.)

Background: Globally the rapid growth of the aquaculture sector has generated a huge work force posing significant risks to the workers due to the combined effect of the exposure to hazards at the workplace and unhealthy lifestyle., Aim and Objectives: To study the morbidity profile of workers in the aquaculture industry in terms of the occupational health problems and risk factors of non-communicable diseases., Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 workers in five aquaculture farms. Ethical Committee clearance was obtained. Data regarding the occupational health problems and major risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was collected by using a pre-designed pretested questionnaire after obtaining informed consent from workers. The blood pressure and random blood sugar levels were measured at the time of the interview., Results: Most of the participants were in the age group 18-66 years and 94% were males. Major occupational health problems reported were musculoskeletal (56.3%), neurological (48.1%), stress related (46.7%), injuries (43%), skin infections (23%). Regarding risk factors for NCDs- 16.3% were current smokers, 51.1% were alcoholics, 50.4% had a sedentary lifestyle, <1% consumed fruits and vegetables. Among participants, 65.2% had central obesity, 28.2% were hypertensive, 9.6% were diabetic. The on-site evaluation showed that most of the aquaculture farms lack safety measures., Conclusion: The study identified potential occupational health problems and risk factors for non-communicable diseases among workers in aquaculture farms. The deficiencies in the safety measures at the workplace were also identified through on site evaluation. Hence there is a need to educate the workers regarding healthy lifestyle and safety at work place. There is a need to overcome organizational challenges at the workplace by adopting safety measures for a better working environment and to reduce the significant risk of exposure to hazards., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

CDATA[Background: Microtubules are considered to be an important therapeutic target for most of the anticancer drugs. These are highly dynamic structures comprising of α-tubulin and β-tubulin which are usually heterodimers and found to be involved in cell movement, intracellular trafficking, and mitosis inhibition of which might kill the tumour cells or inhibit the abnormal proliferation of cells. Most of the tubulin polymerization inhibitors, such as Vinca alkaloids, consist of Indole as the main scaffold. The literature also suggests using triazole moiety in the chemical entities, potentiating the inhibitory activity against cell proliferation. So, in our study, we used indole triazole scaffolds to synthesize the derivatives against tubulin polymerization., Objective: The main objective of this study to synthesize indole triazole conjugates by using environmentally friendly solvents (green chemistry) and click chemistry. To carry out the MTT assay and tubulin polymerization assay for the synthesized indole triazole conjugates., Methods: All the synthesized molecules were subjected to molecular docking studies using Schrodinger suite and the structural confirmation was performed by Mass, proton-NMR and carbon-NMR, documented in DMSO and CDCL3. Biological studies were performed using DU145 (prostate cancer), A-549 (lung cancer) and, MCF-7 (breast cancer), cell lines obtained from ATCC were maintained as a continuous culture. MTT assay was performed for the analogues using standard protocol. Cell cycle analysis was carried out using flow cytometry., Results: The Indole triazole scaffolds were synthesized using the principles of Green chemistry. The triazole formation is mainly achieved by using the Click chemistry approach. Structural elucidation of synthesized compounds was performed using Mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), Proton-Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy ( 1 H-NMR) and Carbon-Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy ( 13 C-NMR). The XP-docked poses and free energy binding calculations revealed that 2c and 2g molecules exhibited the highest docking affinity against the tubulin-colchicine domain (PDB:1SA0). In vitro cytotoxic assessment revealed that 2c and 2g displayed promising cytotoxicity in MTT assay (with CTC50 values 3.52μM and 2.37μM) which are in good agreement with the computational results. 2c and 2g also arrested 63 and 66% of cells in the G 2 /M phase, respectively, in comparison to control cells (10%) and tubulin polymerization inhibition assay revealed that 2c and 2g exhibited significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization with IC 50 values of 2.31μM, and 2.62μM, respectively in comparison to Nocodazole, a positive control, resulted in an IC 50 value of 2.51μM., Conclusion: Indole triazole hybrids were synthesized using click chemistry, and docking studies were carried out using Schrodinger for the designed molecules. Process Optimization has been done for both the schemes. Twelve compounds (2a-2l) have been successfully synthesized and analytical evaluation was performed using NMR and HR-MS. In vitro evaluation was for the synthesized molecules to check tubulin polymerization inhibition for antiproliferative action. Among the synthesized compounds, 2c and 2g have potent anticancer activities by inhibiting tubulin polymerization., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Bilateral Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) provide more subjective patient satisfaction and outcome than unilateral BAHA. Initially, percutaneous BAHAs were used for many decades. Transcutaneous BAHAs were started later to overcome problems associated with percutaneous ones. The present report gives the outcome of bilateral BAHA in a patient with percutaneous BAHA on one side and transcutaneous BAHA on the other., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestAll authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2019.)

An operationally simple Biginelli protocol was employed for the synthesis of new C6-carbon based aryl α-haloacrylamide-linked dihydropyrimidinone derivatives. The synthesized compounds were appraised for their in vitro antiproliferative potential against a selected panel of human cancer cell lines especially MCF-7 (human breast cancer), MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), HCT-116 (human colon cancer), HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma) and DU145 (human prostate cancer) along with normal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1). Preferably, compounds containing α-haloacrylamide (10a-g) functionality were found to exhibit most significant cytotoxicity (IC 50 value 0.54 ± 0.12 to 8.35 ± 0.82 µM) against the listed cancer cell lines, particularly towards breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (IC 50 value 0.54 ± 0.12 to 3.70 ± 0.24 µM). In the seam of synthesized compounds, compound 10f exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cell lines namely MCF-7 (IC 50 value 0.54 ± 0.12 µM) and MDA-MB-231 (IC 50 value 1.18 ± 0.32 µM). Further to understand the underlying apoptosis mechanisms, different staining techniques such as AO/EB, DCFDA, and DAPI staining were performed. To know the extent of apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7 cell lines, annexin V-FITC/PI and JC-1 were performed. Cell cycle analysis revealed that compound 10f arrested the cells at G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner. The compound 10f also found to exhibit significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization (IC 50 of 6.91 ± 0.43 μM) with microtubule destabilizing properties. Molecular docking studies also revealed that compound 10f efficiently interacted with critical catalytically active residues Ser178, Val238, and Val318 of the α/β-tubulin by a hydrogen bond., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We developed a novel evaluation method for tumor-targeting characteristics of nanomedicines, average tumor-targeting index (average TTI) and "area under the tumor-targeting index-time curve" (AUTC) were established as the indicators for tumor targeting of nanomedicines based on NIR fluorescence imaging, which helps real-time monitoring of targeting ability and tumor changes in vivo without culling animals.

Pioneering success of antibodies targeting immune checkpoints such as PD-1 and CTLA4 has opened novel avenues for cancer immunotherapy. Along with impressive clinical activity, severe immune-related adverse events (irAE) due to the breaking of immune self-tolerance are becoming increasingly evident in antibody-based approaches. As a strategy to better manage severe adverse effects, we set out to discover an antagonist targeting PD-1 signaling pathway with a shorter pharmacokinetic profile. Herein, we describe a peptide antagonist NP-12 that displays equipotent antagonism toward PD-L1 and PD-L2 in rescue of lymphocyte proliferation and effector functions. In preclinical models of melanoma, colon cancer, and kidney cancers, NP-12 showed significant efficacy comparable with commercially available PD-1-targeting antibodies in inhibiting primary tumor growth and metastasis. Interestingly, antitumor activity of NP-12 in a preestablished CT26 model correlated well with pharmacodynamic effects as indicated by intratumoral recruitment of CD4 and CD8 T cells, and a reduction in PD-1 + T cells (both CD4 and CD8) in tumor and blood. In addition, NP-12 also showed additive antitumor activity in preestablished tumor models when combined with tumor vaccination or a chemotherapeutic agent such as cyclophosphamide known to induce "immunologic cell death." In summary, NP-12 is the first rationally designed peptide therapeutic targeting PD-1 signaling pathways exhibiting immune activation, excellent antitumor activity, and potential for better management of irAEs., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Background: The duration of the recovery of cognition after anesthesia and surgery is multifactorial and is dependent on the type of anesthesia used, the type of surgery, and the patient. The present study compared the speed of recovery in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia with sevoflurane or desflurane and the incidence and duration of cognitive impairment in them., Methods: The prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Bangalore from November 2008 to March 2010. Patients aged above 65 years with American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status I, II, III undergoing surgeries under general anesthesia lasting from 45 min up to 3 hours were included in the study. The times from discontinuing nitrous oxide to eye opening, tracheal extubation, obeying commands, and the time to orientation to name and place were assessed at 30-60 s intervals. At 1, 3, 6 h after the end of anesthesia, the patient's cognitive functions were assessed by asking them to repeat the Mini Mental Score Examination., Statistical Analysis Used: Student t-test, Chi-square test., Results: The time to eye opening, time until extubation, time to follow commands and orientation to time, place were significantly better with desflurane compared to sevoflurane (p < .001). Hundred percent of patients in the desflurane group and 97% in the sevoflurane group demonstrated completely normal cognitive function at 6 h postoperatively (p = 0.31)., Conclusion: Desflurane was associated with a faster early recovery than sevoflurane in elderly patients. However, postoperative recovery of cognitive function was similar with both volatile anaesthetics.