Biocompatible Human Placental Extracellular Matrix Derived Hydrogels.

Solubilizing extracellular matrix (ECM) materials and transforming them into hydrogels has expanded their potential applications both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, hydrogels are prepared by decellularization of human placental tissue using detergent and enzymes and by the subsequent creation of a homogenized acellular placental tissue powder (P-ECM). A perfusion-based decellularization approach is employed using detergent and enzymes. The P-ECM with and without gamma irradiation is then utilized to prepare P-ECM hydrogels. Physical and biological evaluations are conducted to assess the suitability of the P-ECM hydrogels for biocompatibility. The decellularized tissue has significantly reduced cellular content and retains the major ECM proteins. Increasing the concentration of P-ECM leads to improved mechanical properties of the P-ECM hydrogels. The biocompatibility of the P-ECM hydrogel is demonstrated through cell proliferation and viability assays. Notably, gamma-sterilized P-ECM does not support the formation of a stable hydrogel. Nonetheless, the use of HCl during the digestion process effectively decreases spore growth and bacterial bioburden. The study demonstrates that P-ECM hydrogels exhibit physical and biological attributes conducive to soft tissue reconstruction. These hydrogels establish a favorable microenvironment for cell growth and the need for investigating innovative sterilization methods.

Bidirectional Effect of Triphala on Modulating Gut-Brain Axis to Improve Cognition in the Murine Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

SCOPE: The emerging role of gut microbiota and their metabolites in the modulation of the gut-brain axis has received much attention as a new hope for the treatment of hard-to-treat chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The naturally occurring polyphenols can restore the gut-brain axis by modulating gut microbiota and brain neurotransmitters. The Indian traditional medicine Triphala, a rich source of polyphenols, has been used on humans based on Prakriti or disease conditions for many years. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the dual mode (morning and evening) action of Triphala is used to provide scientific evidence of its superior preventive and therapeutic efficacy in C57BL/6 and 5xFAD, APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study observes that Triphala treatment has significantly improved cognitive function, by modulating the APP pathway, reducing inflammation, and restoring the gut-brain axis by increasing the gut microbiota phyla of Bacteroides, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, etc., involved in maintaining the gut homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: The study paves a new path for using dual modes of Triphala alone or in combination to treat incurable AD.

Coherent mode decomposition of multiple quantum well light emission.

Developing a richer understanding of the various properties of light is central to the field of photonics. One often neglected degree of freedom (DOF) is the second-order correlation of the light field, known as coherence. To make proper use of this DOF, one needs to first obtain information about the field's coherence, which may be characterized through the cross spectral density (CSD) function. We present a measurement of the CSD of a ubiquitous, partially coherent source: a multiple quantum well device in its near-field region, where a photonic structure would commonly encounter the emitted field. We show a departure from the coherence area that is expected from an incoherent source and demonstrate the application of coherent mode decomposition as a way to further analyze the measured results.

Laparoscopic heminephrectomy in horseshoe kidneys: A single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic approach in horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a challenge because of the aberrant vessels, the renal isthmus and the renal ectopia are all unique features of this anomaly encountered during the surgery. We report our single center experience with this technique in managing three patients with HSK. METHODS: A total of 15 cases (9 males and 6 females) were operated between June 2011 and December 2016 for various indications. Of these four patients were managed laparoscopically, two patients with HSK had non-functioning renal moiety underwent transperitoneal heminephrectomy. The third patient with a mass in right moiety with thin fibrous isthmus was successfully managed with laparoscopic heminephrectomy. Fourth patient with pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction with multiple renal calculi was managed with pyeloplasty and complete clearance of all calyceal the stones. RESULT: Mean operating time was 140 ± 1.8 (100-180) min, and estimated blood loss was 131 ± 12.6 (30-320) ml. The mean hospital stay was 2.3 ± 1.4 (1-5) days. There were no major intra- and post-operative complications except minimal postoperative discomfort. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is technically feasible, safe, and reliable for benign and malignant diseases in a HK with mainly three factors posing challenges during the surgery are the abnormal vasculature, division of the isthmus, and lower location of the kidney.

A prospective study evaluating utility of Mannheim peritonitis index in predicting prognosis of perforation peritonitis.

AIMS: We aimed to validate Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) for prediction of outcome in patients with perforation peritonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study involving 100 subjects operated for perforation peritonitis over the period of 2 years was designed. Postevaluation of predesigned performa, MPI score was calculated and analyzed for each patient with death being the main outcome measure. The MPI scores were divided into three categories; scores <15 (category 1), 16-25 (category 2), and >25 (category 3). RESULTS: Our study consisted of 82 males and 18 females (male:female ratio 4.56:1), with the mean patients age of 37.96 ± 17.49 years. 47, 26, and 27 cases belonged to MPI score categories 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The most common origin of sepsis was ileal with small intestine dominating the source of perforation. When the individual parameters of MPI score were assessed against the mortality only, age >50 years (P = 0.015), organ failure (P = 0.0001), noncolonic origin of sepsis (P = 0.002), and generalized peritonitis (P = 0.0001) significantly associated with mortality. The sensitivity of MPI was 92% with a specificity of 78% in receiver operating characteristic curves. CONCLUSION: MPI is an effective tool for prediction of mortality in cases of perforation peritonitis.