Lipid lateral diffusion: mechanisms and modulators.

The lateral diffusion of lipids within a membrane is of paramount importance, serving as a central mechanism in numerous physiological processes including cell signaling, membrane trafficking, protein activity regulation, and energy transduction pathways. This review offers a comprehensive overview of lateral lipid diffusion in model biomembrane systems explored through the lens of neutron scattering techniques. We examine diverse models of lateral diffusion and explore the various factors influencing this fundamental process in membrane dynamics. Additionally, we offer a thorough summary of how different membrane-active compounds, including drugs, antioxidants, stimulants, and membrane proteins, affect lipid lateral diffusion. Our analysis unveils the intricate interplay between these additives and membranes, shedding light on their dynamic interactions. We elucidate that this interaction is governed by a complex combination of multiple factors including the physical state and charge of the membrane, the concentration of additives, the molecular architecture of the compounds, and their spatial distribution within the membrane. In conclusion, we briefly discuss the future directions and areas requiring further investigation in the realm of lateral lipid diffusion, highlighting the need to study more realistic membrane systems.

Differential impact of COVID-19 on mental health and burnout.

BACKGROUND: There may be differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and burnout rates of healthcare professionals (HCPs) performing different roles. AIMS: To examine mental health and burnout rates, and possible drivers for any disparities between professional roles. METHODS: In this cohort study, online surveys were distributed to HCPs in July-September 2020 (baseline) and re-sent 4 months later (follow-up; December 2020) assessing for probable major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia, mental well-being and burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Separate logistic regression models (at both phases) compared the risk of outcomes between roles: healthcare assistants (HCAs), nurses and midwives (nurses), allied health professionals (AHPs) and doctors (reference group). Separate linear regression models were also developed relating the change in scores to professional role. RESULTS: At baseline (n = 1537), nurses had a 1.9-fold and 2.5-fold increased risk of MDD and insomnia, respectively. AHPs had a 1.7-fold and 1.4-fold increased risk of MDD and emotional exhaustion, respectively. At follow-up (n = 736), the disproportionate risk between doctors and others worsened: nurses and HCAs were at 3.7-fold and 3.6-fold increased risk of insomnia, respectively. Nurses also had a significantly increased risk of MDD, GAD, poor mental well-being and burnout. Nurses also had significantly worsened anxiety, mental well-being and burnout scores over time, relative to doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and AHPs had excess risk of adverse mental health and burnout during the pandemic, and this difference worsened over time (in nurses especially). Our findings support adoption of targeted strategies accounting for different HCP roles.

Incidence of Long COVID-19 at 12-18 Months Following Delta Wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Hospital-based Prospective Registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as an important consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To identify its incidence 12-18 months following hospitalization in patients with COVID-19, we performed a prospective study. METHODS: Virologically confirmed successive patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, hospitalized during the delta wave in India, were recruited. Data on clinical features, investigations, and outcomes were obtained. Long COVID-19 was diagnosed using the European quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D) and Birmingham symptom burden questionnaire (SBQ) at 12-18-month follow-up. RESULTS: During the study period (January-July 2021), we evaluated 8,680 suspected COVID-19 patients, of whom 1,641 were confirmed virologically and 388 were hospitalized. Men accounted for 64.4%, individuals aged >60 years for 41.5%, hypertension for 42.8%, diabetes for 38.4%, and cardiovascular disease for 17.3%. At admission, there was a high prevalence of cough (71.1%), fever (86.6%), and oxygen requirement (38.6%). Proning was deployed in 89.2% of cases, nasal cannula in 36.3%, nonrebreather masks in 15.7%, noninvasive ventilation in 14.4%, and invasive ventilation in 16.2%. In-hospital deaths totaled 75 (19.3%), with 310 discharged for home care and eligible for follow-up. At a median follow-up of 15 months, 9 patients had died, 40 were lost to follow-up, and 264 were evaluated. The incidence of Long COVID-19 was 45 [17.0%, 95% confidence of interval (CI) 12.6-21.9%]. The median EQ-5D score was 5.0, with >5 observed in only 11 patients (0.6%). Using the SBQ, new-onset dyspnea on exertion was noted in 13 (4.9%), rest dyspnea in 7 (2.6%), fatigue in 31 (11.7%), feverishness in 18 (6.8%), and low energy in 16 (6.1%). Long COVID-19 was significantly more prevalent in women and older individuals. In Long COVID-19 compared to controls, the mean duration of oxygen requirement (5.46 ± 9.8 vs 2.46 ± 4.5 days, p = 0.002), use of nonrebreather masks (17.8 vs 7.3%, p = 0.026), noninvasive ventilation (11.1 vs 3.2%, p = 0.020), and duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (13.5, 8.7-17.3 vs 8.0, 5.0-11.0 days, p = 0.028) were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Long COVID-19 at 12-18 months follow-up is 17.0%. It is significantly higher in women, older age groups, and patients requiring longer oxygenation, nonrebreather oxygen masks, noninvasive respiratory support, and extended stays in the ICU.

THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASES: CURRENT EVIDENCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Regular exercise helps to enhance health outcomes and lower risk factors, making it a crucial element in the prevention of chronic diseases. By being physically active, people can improve their general health and delay the onset of a number of chronic illnesses. For understanding the relationship between increased physical activity or decreased physical inactivity and favorable health outcomes, observational studies are the main source of information. We will look for systematic analyses of randomized controlled trials with a main emphasis on outcomes linked to diseases in the Cochrane Database of systematic studies. Evaluation will be limited to those in a few key chronic conditions. Preventing chronic illness and achieving better results in the management or treatment of chronic illness are the main outcomes of interest. For each chronic condition (such as the control of glucose in diabetes or any change in hypertension blood pressure), these results will be summarized and displayed. The design and implementation of chronic conditions, physical exercise illness conditions, and adverse physical activity-related events are of secondary interest. Our findings should help decision-makers, guideline organizations, and academics identify the most effective physical activity programs for major chronic disease management and prevention. Exercise and physical activity (PA) offers a non-invasive approach to the management of chronic disorders. More physiological, biochemical, and molecular data on the positive effects of PA and exercise on health should constitute a primary focus of future studies.

Lateral diffusion of lipids in the DMPG membrane across the anomalous melting regime: effects of NaCl.

The anionic dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) membrane in solvents with a low ionic strength is known to exhibit an unusually wide melting regime between the gel and fluid phase characterized by various anomalous macroscopic characteristics, such as low turbidity and high electrical conductivity and viscosity. A recent neutron spin echo study [Kelley, E. G. et al., Struct. Dyn., 7 (2020) 054704] revealed that during the extended melting phase transition the DMPG membrane becomes softer and exhibits faster collective bending fluctuation compared to the higher temperature fluid phase. In contrast, in the present work, using incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering through the anomalous phase transition regime we find that single-particle lateral and internal lipid motions in the DMPG membrane show regular temperature dependence, with no enhanced dynamics evident in the anomalous melting regime. Further, we find that incorporation of NaCl in DMPG suppresses the anomalous extended melting regime, concurrently enhancing the single-particle lipid dynamics, both the lateral diffusivity and (to a lesser extent) the internal lipid motion. This seems rather counterintuitive and in variance with the dynamic suppression effect exerted by a salt on a zwitterionic membrane. However, since incorporation of a salt in anionic DMPG leads to enhanced cooperativity, the disrupted cooperativity in the salt-free DMPG is associated with the baseline lipid dynamics that is suppressed to begin with, whereas addition of salt partially restores the cooperativity, thus enhancing lipid dynamics compared to the salt-free baseline DMPG membrane state. These results provide new insights into the ion-membrane interaction and divulge a correlation between microscopic dynamics and the structure of the lipid bilayer.

The Contribution of Transpiration to Precipitation Over African Watersheds.

The redistribution of biological (transpiration) and non-biological (interception loss, soil evaporation) fluxes of terrestrial evaporation via atmospheric circulation and precipitation is an important Earth system process. In vegetated ecosystems, transpiration dominates terrestrial evaporation and is thought to be crucial for regional moisture recycling and ecosystem functioning. However, the spatial and temporal variability in the dependency of precipitation on transpiration remains understudied, particularly in sparsely sampled regions like Africa. Here, we investigate how biological and non-biological sources of evaporation in Africa contribute to rainfall over the major watersheds in the continent. Our study is based on simulated atmospheric moisture trajectories derived from the Lagrangian model FLEXPART, driven by 1° resolution reanalysis data over 1981-2016. Using daily satellite-based fractions of transpiration over terrestrial evaporation, we isolate the contribution of vegetation to monthly rainfall. Furthermore, we highlight two watersheds (Congo and Senegal) for which we explore intra- and interannual variability of different precipitation sources, and where we find contrasting patterns of vegetation-sourced precipitation within and between years. Overall, our results show that almost 50% of the annual rainfall in Africa originates from transpiration, although the variability between watersheds is large (5%-68%). We conclude that, considering the current and projected patterns of land use change in Africa, a better understanding of the implications for continental-scale water availability is needed.

First Demonstration of a Scintillating Xenon Bubble Chamber for Detecting Dark Matter and Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering.

A 30-g xenon bubble chamber, operated at Northwestern University in June and November 2016, has for the first time observed simultaneous bubble nucleation and scintillation by nuclear recoils in a superheated liquid. This chamber is instrumented with a CCD camera for near-IR bubble imaging, a solar-blind photomultiplier tube to detect 175-nm xenon scintillation light, and a piezoelectric acoustic transducer to detect the ultrasonic emission from a growing bubble. The time of nucleation determined from the acoustic signal is used to correlate specific scintillation pulses with bubble-nucleating events. We report on data from this chamber for thermodynamic "Seitz" thresholds from 4.2 to 15.0 keV. The observed single- and multiple-bubble rates when exposed to a ^{252}Cf neutron source indicate that, for an 8.3-keV thermodynamic threshold, the minimum nuclear recoil energy required to nucleate a bubble is 19±6 keV (1σ uncertainty). This is consistent with the observed scintillation spectrum for bubble-nucleating events. We see no evidence for bubble nucleation by gamma rays at any of the thresholds studied, setting a 90% C.L. upper limit of 6.3×10^{-7} bubbles per gamma interaction at a 4.2-keV thermodynamic threshold. This indicates stronger gamma discrimination than in CF_{3}I bubble chambers, supporting the hypothesis that scintillation production suppresses bubble nucleation by electron recoils, while nuclear recoils nucleate bubbles as usual. These measurements establish the noble-liquid bubble chamber as a promising new technology for the detection of weakly interacting massive particle dark matter and coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering.

What Factors Contribute to Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Urban, Conflict-Affected Settings? Qualitative Findings from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Rapid urbanization is a key driver of the unique set of health risks facing urban populations. One of the most critical health hazards facing urban women is intimate partner violence (IPV). In post-conflict urban areas, women may face an even greater risk of IPV. Yet, few studies have examined the IPV experiences of urban-dwelling, conflict-affected women, including those who have been internally displaced. This study qualitatively examined the social and structural characteristics of the urban environment that contributed to the IPV experiences of women residing in post-conflict Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Ten focus groups were conducted with men and women, both internally displaced (IDPs) and non-displaced. Lack of support networks, changing gender roles, and tensions between traditional gender norms and those of the "modern" city were reported as key contributors to IPV. Urban poverty and with it unemployment, food insecurity, and housing instability also played a role. Finally, IDPs faced heightened vulnerability to IPV as a result of displacement and discrimination. The relationship between economic strains and IPV are similar to other conflict-affected settings, but Abidjan's urban environment presented other unique characteristics contributing to IPV. Understanding these factors is crucial to designing appropriate services for women and for implementing IPV reduction interventions in urban areas. Strengthening formal and informal mechanisms for help-seeking, utilizing multi-modal interventions that address economic stress and challenge inequitable gender norms, as well as tailoring programs specifically for IDPs, are some considerations for IPV program planning focused on conflict-affected women in urban areas.

Magnetism in single metalloorganic complexes formed by atom manipulation.

The magnetic properties of molecular structures can be tailored by chemical synthesis or bottom-up assembly at the atomic scale. We used scanning tunneling microscopy to study charge and spin transfer in individual complexes of transition metals with the charge acceptor, tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). The complexes were formed on a thin insulator, Cu2N on Cu(100), by manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. The Cu2N layer decouples the complexes from Cu electron density, enabling direct imaging of the TCNE molecular orbitals as well as spin-flip inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. Results were obtained at low temperature down to 1 K and in magnetic fields up to 7 T in order to resolve splitting of spin states in the complexes. We also performed spin-polarized density functional theory calculations to compare with the experimental data. Our results indicate that charge transfer to TCNE leads to a change in spin magnitude, Kondo resonance, and magnetic anisotropy for the metal atoms.

Gender norms, poverty and armed conflict in Côte D'Ivoire: engaging men in women's social and economic empowerment programming.

Engaging men is a critical component in efforts to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). Little is known regarding men's perspectives of approaches that challenge inequitable gender norms, particularly in settings impacted by armed conflict. This article describes men's experiences with a women's empowerment program and highlights men's perceptions of gender norms, poverty and armed conflict, as they relate to achieving programmatic goals. Data are from 32 Ivorian men who participated in indepth interviews in 2012. Interviews were undertaken as part of an intervention that combined gender dialogue groups for both women and their male partners with women's only village savings and loans programs to reduce IPV against women. Findings suggested that in the context of armed conflict, traditional gender norms and economic stressors experienced by men challenged fulfillment of gender roles and threatened men's sense of masculinity. Men who participated in gender dialogue groups discussed their acceptance of programming and identified improvements in their relationships with their female partners. These men further discussed increased financial planning along with their partners, and attributed such increases to the intervention. Addressing men's perceptions of masculinity, poverty and armed conflict may be key components to reduce men's violence against women in conflict-affected settings.

Acaricidal effect of herbal extracts against cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus using in vitro studies.

The crude methanolic extract of Datura stramonium, Azadirachta indica, and Calotropis procera leaves, Allium sativum (AS) cloves, and Carica papaya (CP) seeds collected from Banaskanta, Gujarat (India) was tested for its acaricidal properties against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The percent adult mortality within 15 days, reproductive index, percentage inhibition of oviposition, hatching of laid ova, and percentage larval mortality were studied at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. At the highest concentration (100 mg/ml), the adult tick mortality was 66.67, 73.33, 80.00, and 93.33% for C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extracts, respectively, and it was statistically significant (P < 0.001). However, for A. indica, mortality was low and estimated to be 33.33%. Inhibition of oviposition at the highest concentration of A. indica, C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extract-treated ticks was 20.73, 71.34, 77.17, 85.83, and 100.00%, respectively. Inhibition of fecundity of treated groups differed significantly from the control and was concentration dependent. Larvae treated with all the tested concentrations of A. indica, C. procera, D. stramonium, A. sativum, and C. papaya extracts by larval packet test showed significant mortality (P < 0.001) than that of control tick larvae, and at the highest concentration, it was 55.2, 63.2, 71.8, 69.0, and 82.2%, respectively. Garlic cloves and papaya seed extract produced complete failure of eclosion of eggs from the treated ticks even at lower concentrations; however, neem, calotropis, and datura was capable of reducing hatchability by 20, 50, and 70%, respectively. The results pointed that the crude extracts of A. sativum cloves and C. papaya seeds have very good acaricidal properties and could be a potential component of alternative R. (B.) microplus tick control strategy.

The Physics of Antimicrobial Activity of Ionic Liquids.

The bactericidal potency of ionic liquids (ILs) is well-established, yet their precise mechanism of action remains elusive. Here, we show evidence that the bactericidal action of ILs primarily involves the permeabilization of the bacterial cell membrane. Our findings reveal that ILs exert their effects by directly interacting with the lipid bilayer and enhancing the membrane dynamics. Lateral lipid diffusion is accelerated, which in turn augments membrane permeability, ultimately leading to bacterial death. Furthermore, our results establish a significant connection: an increase in the alkyl chain length of ILs correlates with a notable enhancement in both lipid lateral diffusion and antimicrobial potency. This underscores a compelling correlation between membrane dynamics and antimicrobial effectiveness, providing valuable insights for the rational design and optimization of IL-based antimicrobial agents in healthcare applications.

Two- and three-electron Pauli spin blockade in series-coupled triple quantum dots.

We investigate two- and three-electron spin blockade in three vertical quantum dots (QDs) coupled in series. Two-electron spin blockade is found in a region where sequential tunneling through all QDs is forbidden but tunneling involving virtual hopping through an empty QD is allowed. It is observed only for the hole cycle with a distinct bias threshold for access to the triplet state. Three-electron spin blockade involving the quadruplet state is observed for nonequibilium conditions where sequential tunneling is allowed and the triplet state is accessible. Our results shine light on the importance of the nonequibilium conditions to obtain sufficient population of triplet and quadruplet states necessary for spin blockade.

Effect of laser bleaching, ultrasonic scaling and powered tooth brushing on surface roughness and bacterial adherence of class V composite restorations.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effect of diode laser assisted bleaching, ultrasonic scaling and powered tooth brushing on surface roughness and bacterial adherence on class V cavities restored with composites. Materials and methods: A total of one hundred and twenty samples (40 samples each of Brilliant Everglow, Beautifil II and Heytec-N) were prepared in standardized stainless steel molds. The samples were further subdivided into four subgroups i.e. one control group (without any intervention) and three experimental groups - diode laser assisted bleaching, ultrasonic scaling and powered tooth brushing consisting of 10 sample each. Surface roughness was measured quantitatively with the help of 3D Optical Profilometer. For bacterial adherence analysis S. mutans strain (ATCC 25175) was cultured in BHI medium and samples were evaluated for the presence of viable bacteria using the Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count. Results obtained were then tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Diode laser bleaching caused a significant increase in surface roughness and bacterial adherence with lowest mean change exhibited by Heytec-N followed by Beautifil II and highest by Brilliant Everglow group. Similarly, Ultrasonic scaling increased the surface roughness of all the three tested samples with significant difference between the groups. Powered tooth brushing had no effect on the surface roughness and bacterial adherence of the tested composites. Conclusion: Diode assisted laser bleaching and ultrasonic caused significantly higher surface roughness and bacterial adherence values for all the tested composites. It may therefore be recommended to do finishing and polishing of restorations after such procedures.

Ultrasound measurement of the distance of the phrenic nerve from the brachial plexus at the classic interscalene point and upper trunk: A volunteer-based observational study.

Background and Aims: The method of blocking the brachial plexus at the level of the upper trunk has been gaining popularity as a phrenic nerve-sparing alternative for interscalene block. We aimed to measure the distance of the phrenic nerve from the upper trunk and compare it with the distance between the phrenic nerve and the brachial plexus at the classic interscalene point by using ultrasound. Method: In this study, after ethical approval and trial registration, 100 brachial plexus of 50 volunteers were scanned from the emergence of the ventral rami and its course was traced to the supraclavicular fossa. The distance of the phrenic nerve from the brachial plexus was measured at two levels: the interscalene groove along the cricoid cartilage (classic interscalene block point) and from the upper trunk. The presence of anatomical variations of the brachial plexus, the classic traffic light sign, vessels across the plexus, and the location of the cervical oesophagus were also noted. Results: At the classic interscalene point, the C5 ventral ramus was observed to be just emerging or to have fully emerged from the transverse process. The phrenic nerve was identified in 86/100 (86%) of scans. The median (IQR) distance of the phrenic nerve from the C5 ventral ramus was 1.6 (1.1-3.9) mm and that of the phrenic nerve from the upper trunk was 17 (12-20.5) mm. Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus, the classic traffic light sign, and vessels across the plexus were seen in 27/100, 53/100, and 41/100 scans respectively. The oesophagus was consistently located on the left side of the trachea. Conclusions: There was a 10-fold increase in the distance of the phrenic nerve from the upper trunk when compared to that from the brachial plexus at the classic interscalene point.

Abuse from in-laws and associations with attempts to control reproductive decisions among rural women in Côte d'Ivoire: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To document the lifetime prevalence of abuse from in-laws (both nonphysical maltreatment and physical violence), the forms of in-law abuse and reproductive control, and the relationship between experiences of in-law abuse and reproductive control among partnered women in rural Côte d'Ivoire. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using baseline data (October 2010) from a randomised controlled trial examining socio-economic interventions on reduction of violence against Ivorian women. SETTING: Rural Côte d'Ivoire. POPULATION: A total of 981 Ivorian women aged 18 years and older who reported having a male partner and a current source of stable income. METHODS: Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lifetime, in-law-perpetrated reproductive control. RESULTS: More than one in four (27.0%) women reported experiencing lifetime in-law abuse. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, in-law abuse was significantly associated with in-law-perpetrated reproductive control (adjusted odds ratio 6.9; 95% confidence interval 3.9-12.2; P < 0.0001). Religion and having fewer pregnancies were also associated with reporting in-law-perpetrated reproductive control. CONCLUSIONS: Increased efforts are needed to involve in-laws in programmes that seek to reduce gender-based violence against women and improve women's reproductive health.

Associations between pollen counts, pollutants, and asthma-related hospital admissions in a high-density Indian metropolis.

BACKGROUND: The seasonal pattern of asthma-related hospitalization has often been correlated with ambient allergen/pollutant levels. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between asthma-related hospital admissions (ARHA) and outdoor pollen, spore, and pollutant levels for adult patients in a densely populated Indian megacity Kolkata. METHODS: ARHA data were obtained from two major teaching hospitals of the city. Pollen and spores causing allergic sensitization were identified by skin prick tests (SPTs) among respiratory allergic subjects (N = 1353). Outdoor concentrations of aeroallergens were determined using a Burkard sampler for five consecutive years (2004-2009). Levels of NO(2), SO(2), suspended particulate matters (SPMs), and respirable particulate matters (RPMs) were made available by West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB, Government of West Bengal). Poisson multivariate Poisson regression (with adjustments for overdispersion) was used to model the data. Results. We found that ARHA in Kolkata increased with predictable regularity in March and September, while remaining low in January and July. SPT showed highly positive skin reactions with grass/weed and palm pollens in respiratory allergic patients, while Aspergilli spores also evoked good sensitivity. In our regression model, the airborne pollen types, Cheno-Amaranthaceae and Cyperaceae, and the inorganic pollutant, SO(2) and RPM, were significantly associated with ARHA (p < .05). CONCLUSION: ARHA in the megacity of Kolkata shows two seasonal peaks that can be correlated with outdoor grass/weed pollen and RPM concentrations. In contrast, the city's ambient fungal spore counts were not found to be significantly associated.

In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of a methanol extract of Dregea volubilis leaves with its antioxidant effect.

CONTEXT: In India, Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. (Asclepediaceae), a large twining shrub with a woody vine, is used to treat tumors traditionally. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of the methanol extract of Dregea volubilis leaves (MEDV) and elucidated its possible mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro antitumor activity of MEDV was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell-line. In vivo antitumor and antioxidant activity of MEDV at three dose levels (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) were determined against EAC tumor-bearing mice. After 24 h of EAC inoculation, the extract was administered for 9 consecutive days. After the administration of the last dose on the 9th day followed by 18 h fasting, mice from all groups were sacrificed to determine antitumor activity and hematological profiles along with liver related biochemical parameters like lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymatic activity, etc. RESULTS: For in vitro antitumor activity, IC(50) value of MEDV for EAC tumor cells was 85.51 ± 4.07 µg/ml. The MEDV showed a decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and an increase in the non-viable cell count of the EAC tumor-bearing mice (p < 0.001). Hematological profile reverted near to normal level in extract treated mice. MEDV decreased the hepatic lipid peroxidation level and enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase level in tumor-bearing mice (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: MEDV exhibited in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in EAC tumor-bearing mice mediated through augmenting antioxidant defense system.

Broadly tunable femtosecond mode-locking in a Tm:KYW laser near 2 µm.

Efficient mode-locking in a Tm:KY(WO(4))(2) laser is demonstrated by using InGaAsSb quantum-well SESAMs. Self-starting ultrashort pulse generation was realized in the 1979-2074 nm spectral region. Maximum average output power up to 411 mW was produced around 1986 nm with the corresponding pulse duration and repetition rate of 549 fs and 105 MHz respectively. Optimised pulse durations of 386 fs were produced with an average power of 235 mW at 2029 nm.

The measurement properties of the menorrhagia multi-attribute quality-of-life scale: a psychometric analysis.

Menorrhagia, or heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), is a common gynaecological condition. As the aim of treatment is to improve women's wellbeing and quality of life (QoL), it is necessary to have effective ways to measure this. This study investigated the reliability and validity of the menorrhagia multi-attribute scale (MMAS), a menorrhagia-specific QoL instrument. Participants (n = 431) completed the MMAS and a battery of other tests as part of the baseline assessment of the ECLIPSE (Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Levonorgestrel-containing Intrauterine system in Primary care against Standard trEatment for menorrhagia) trial. Analyses of their responses suggest that the MMAS has good measurement properties and is therefore an appropriate condition-specific instrument to measure the outcome of treatment for HMB.