Application of nanomaterials is gaining tremendous interest in the field of wood science and technology for value addition and enhancing performance of wood and wood-based composites. This review focuses on the use of nanomaterials in improving the properties of wood and wood-based materials and protecting them from weathering, biodegradation, and other deteriorating agents. UV-resistant, self-cleaning (superhydrophobic) surfaces with anti-microbial properties have been developed using the extraordinary features of nanomaterials. Scratch-resistant nano-coatings also improve durability and aesthetic appeal of wood. Moreover, nanomaterials have been used as wood preservatives for increasing the resistance against wood deteriorating agents such as fungi, termites and borers. Wood can be made more resistant to ignition and slower to burn by introducing nano-clays or nanoparticles of metal-oxides. The use of nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles in wood-based products has attracted huge interest in developing novel materials with improved properties. Nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles derived/synthesized from woody biomass can enhance the mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness and impart additional functionalities to wood-based products. Cellulose nano-fibres/crystals find application in wide areas of materials science like reinforcement for composites. Incorporation of nanomaterials in resin has been used to enhance specific properties of wood-based composites. This review paper highlights some of the advancements in the use of nanotechnology in wood science, and its potential impact on the industry.
Lignin , Nanostructures , Lignin/analysis , Wood/chemistry , Nanotechnology , Cellulose/chemistry , Nanostructures/chemistry
We demonstrate the use of copper arylamide complexes as efficient photoluminescent mechanophores to design deep-red/near-IR emissive polymers showing reversible changes in photoluminescence intensity in the red/near-IR region in response to mechanical stretching. The mechanoresponse was repeatable over 30 cycles, showing a measurable increase of photoluminescence intensity even at a small applied stress of ca. 0.01 MPa. We demonstrate the potential of using conformationally dynamic copper amide complexes as sensitive and reversible mechanophores for near-IR imaging; systematic control over the emission range was achieved using amide modification.
Breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) has become a hot topic in recent plastic surgery and oncology forum. Its cases have been on the rise since its first emergence more than two decades ago. This condition is less known and management guidelines are still evolving. BIA-ALCL was seen recently with a classical presentation in one of our patients, who underwent immediate reconstruction with a macro-textured silicone implant following breast cancer surgery. We want to add the first case report from India to the global information database. There are still unanswered questions in its management, and we wish to highlight the same to make way for further research. With the rise in aesthetic and reconstructive implant surgeries, the knowledge of BIA-ALCL must expand among oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists for early identification and treatment for better patient outcomes.
Introduction Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common differential diagnosis of acute pain abdomen and cannot be considered self-limiting as it has serious early and long-term impacts. Depending on severity, AP is divided into mild, moderately severe, and severe AP. Management of AP involves accurate diagnosis, high-quality supportive care, monitoring for early detection and treatment of complications, and prevention of relapse. Aim To assess the etiological risk factors, clinical profile, and complications in patients with AP. Methods The present study was conducted on 60 eligible patients admitted to the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, and Hospital of Northern India. A diagnosis of AP was established based on the revised Atlanta classification (2012) for the classification of AP, and relevant data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results Most of the AP patients were in the 21-40 year age group. The majority were males (88.3%). Alcohol was the most common etiological factor in 76.7% of patients followed by cholelithiasis in 10% of patients. Pain abdomen was the most common presenting clinical feature occurring in 96.7% of patients and vomiting in 65% of the patients. Acute fluid collection was the most common pancreatic complication occurring in 26.7% of the patients, pancreatic edema was seen in 21.7%, and pancreatic necrosis in 15%. Among extrapancreatic complications, ascites was most commonly seen in 50% of patients followed by pleural effusion in 15%, shock in 15%, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in 15%, and hypocalcemia in 11.7% of patients. Conclusion AP should be one of the differentials for patients presenting with pain abdomen, especially when probable risk factors such as alcohol abuse and cholelithiasis are present. A high index of suspicion to diagnose AP is needed as timely management may prevent systematic complications, thus improving the outcome. Poor prognostic indicators are raised levels of total serum bilirubin, raised serum lipase, reduced serum albumin, and low platelet count among AP patients.
Bond homolysis is one of the most fundamental bond cleavage mechanisms. Thus, understanding of bond homolysis influences the development of a wide range of chemistry. Photolytic bond homolysis and its reverse process have been observed directly using time-resolved spectroscopy. However, direct observation of reversible bond homolysis remains elusive. Here, we report the direct observation of reversible Co-Co bond homolysis using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance exchange spectroscopy (2D EXSY NMR). The characterization of species involved in this homolysis is firmly supported by diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY NMR). The unambiguous characterization of the Co-Co bond homolysis process enabled us to study ligand steric and electronic factors that influence the strength of the Co-Co bond. Understanding of these factors will contribute to rational design of multimetallic complexes with desired physical properties or catalytic activity.
Objective: Artificial intelligence-enhanced breast thermography is being evaluated as an ancillary modality in the evaluation of breast disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of Thermalytix, a CE-marked, AI-based thermal imaging test, with respect to conventional mammography. Methods: A prospective, comparative study performed between 15 December 2018 and 06 January 2020 evaluated the performance of Thermalytix in 459 women with both dense and nondense breast tissue. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic women, aged 30-80 years, presenting to the hospital underwent Thermalytix followed by 2-D mammography and appropriate confirmatory investigations to confirm malignancy. The radiologist interpreting the mammograms and the technician using the Thermalytix tool were blinded to the others' findings. The statistical analysis was performed by a third party. Results: A total of 687 women were recruited, of whom 459 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one malignancies were detected (21/459, 4.6%). The overall sensitivity of Thermalytix was 95.24% (95% CI, 76.18-99.88), and the specificity was 88.58% (95% CI, 85.23-91.41). In women with dense breasts (n = 168, 36.6%), the sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 69.15-100), and the specificity was 81.65% (95% CI, 74.72-87.35). Among these 168 women, 37 women (22%) were reported as BI-RADS 0 on mammography; in this subset, the sensitivity of Thermalytix was 100% (95% CI, 69.15-100), and the specificity was 77.22% (95% CI, 69.88-83.50). Conclusion: Thermalytix showed acceptable sensitivity and specificity with respect to mammography in the overall patient population. Thermalytix outperformed mammography in women with dense breasts and those reported as BI-RADS 0.
Oral cancer results due to multiple genetic alterations that transform the normal cells in the oral cavity into neoplastic cells. These genetic changes in a particular tumor field lead to a rapid expansion of preneoplastic daughter cells producing malignant phenotype but the malignancy results due to such genetic changes occurr over several years. The morphological changes in these transformed cells help in the diagnosis of malignancy. Thus, the early changes at the gene level are present in the population of daughter cells in the organ, which explains the concept of field cancerization. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a group of cells that have the capacity of self-renewal and have the potential to differentiate into other types of tumor cells. This review explains the cellular and genetic basis of field cancerization and the role of cancer stem cells in field cancerization.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Parsonage Turner Syndrome is a well known clinical entity. Several excellent articles have succinctly described Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in PTS. However, these articles have inferred neural involvement in PTS based on the patterns of denervation of muscles in the shoulder region. The aim of this study is to directly visualize the distribution and extent of abnormality in MR Neurography (MRN) of the brachial plexus in known cases of brachial plexus neuritis or Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS). METHODS: 15 patients who were diagnosed with PTS based on clinical and electrophysiological findings participated in the study. MRN of the brachial plexus was done in a 1.5T system using a combination of T1W (T1-weighted), T2W (T2-weighted) fat-saturated, STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery), 3D STIR SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application Optimized Contrasts) and 3D T2W SPACE sequences. Findings were recorded and assessed. RESULTS: The age range of our patients was 7-65 years (mean 37.87 years). Most of the patients had unilateral symptoms. All patients had weakness in shoulder abduction. Other common associated complaints included pain in the shoulder/neck/arm and preceding fever. MRN revealed the percentage of involvement of roots, trunks, cords and terminal branches was 53.3%, 46.7%, 40% and 13.3% respectively. Evidence of muscle denervation in the form of edema, fatty infiltration and atrophy was noted in 8 (53.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients in this study had unilateral involvement on MRN. The roots were the commonest site of involvement followed by the trunks, cords and terminal branches. C5 was the most commonly involved root.
Vitamin D serves as a precursor to the potent steroid hormone calcitriol, which has widespread actions throughout the body. Calcitriol regulates numerous cellular pathways that could have a role in determining cancer risk and prognosis. Low Vitamin D levels have been implicated in numerous disease processes including fracture risk, falls, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cancers. Metabolite of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) regulates numerous genes that control gut physiology and homeostasis. 1,25(OH)2D3 serves various functions such as maintaining the integrity of epithelial barrier and absorption of calcium and phosphate, and the host's defense against pathogens, and the inflammatory response by several types of secretory and immune cells. Although epidemiological data remain inconsistent, and randomized control trials in humans do not yet exist to conclusively support a beneficial role for Vitamin D, results from some correlating studies strongly suggest that Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing cancer and that avoiding deficiency and adding Vitamin D supplements might be an economical and safe way to reduce cancer incidence and improve cancer prognosis and outcome. The present review highlights the role of Vitamin D in cancer of the gastrointestinal tract including esophagus, gastric (stomach), liver, pancreas, and colon.
Ameloblastoma is the most common aggressive benign odontogenic tumor of the jaws. Ameloblastoma is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor that typically arises in the mandible or maxilla or, rarely, in the immediate adjacent soft tissues. A clinical, radiographic and histopathological report is presented of a case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in relation to molar in the left mandible of a 30-year-old healthy male. The histopathological examination of the removed specimen revealed the histopathological pattern of an acanthomatous ameloblastoma. The radiographic appearance of the lesion showed the presence of multilocular radiolucencies, which were crossing the midline, which is rarely found in ameloblastoma. Due to its rarity and lack of data, we take this opportunity to present a world first case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma which was crossing the midline.
Ameloblastoma/diagnosis , Ameloblastoma/surgery , Mandibular Neoplasms/diagnosis , Mandibular Neoplasms/surgery , Adult , Ameloblastoma/pathology , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Male , Mandible/diagnostic imaging , Mandibular Neoplasms/pathology , Mandibular Osteotomy , Radiography, Panoramic , Treatment Outcome
OBJECTIVE: To distinguish between benign and malignant breast lesions on the basis of their signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging and their apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values at 3 T MRI, along with histopathological correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 500 patients who underwent 3 T MRI between August 2011 and May 2013 was done. Of these, 226 patients with 232 lesions that were proved by histopathology were included in the study. ADC values were calculated at b values of 0, 1000, and 1500 s/mm(2) after identification on contrast-enhanced images and appropriate ROI(Region of interest) placement. ADC value and histopathology correlation was analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 232 lesions, 168 lesions were histologically malignant and 64 were histologically benign. With an ADC cut-off value of 1.1 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s for malignant lesions, a sensitivity of 92.80% and specificity of 80.23% was obtained. Out of 12/232 false-negative lesions, 6 were mucinous carcinoma in which a high ADC value of 1.8-1.9 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s was obtained. Purely DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ) lesions presenting as non-mass-like enhancement had a high ADC value of 1.2-1.5 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s, thereby reducing specificity. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted Imaging and quantitative assessment by ADC values may act as an effective parameter in increasing the diagnostic accuracy and specificity of contrast-enhanced breast MRI in characterization of breast lesions.
Fingerprints are considered to be the most reliable criteria for personal identification. In the past decades, lip-print studies (Cheiloscopy) attracted the attention of many scientists as a new tool for human identification in both civil and criminal issues. The present study was undertaken to observe the correlation between lip prints and finger print pattern in sex determination and to determine the pattern predominance in a sample of 5000 individuals. The study was carried out in 5000 individuals in Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research, M.M. University, Mullana. Of the participants, 2500 were males and 2500 females. Lip prints and finger prints of the right hand were collected then studied and analyzed statistically. For lip prints TSUCHIHASHIS Y. classification (1970) was followed; HENRYS classification(1897) was followed for finger prints. Whorls were of a high frequency in males, but females presented with a high frequency of loops. Type I, I', II lip print pattern was most predominant in females while Type III and Type IV was most predominant in males. The present study described in detail that for both males and females, the most predominant lip-print patterns showed an association with the respective predominant finger print patterns. The establishment of a database of Cheiloscopy and Dactyloscopyis recommended for all individuals in a certain locality, which could be used as a reference in civil litigations and criminal cases. Such studies may be useful particularly in Forensic science and in justice.
Dermatoglyphics , Lip/anatomy & histology , Sex Characteristics , Adult , Female , Forensic Sciences , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
