SerpinB3 drives cancer stem cell survival in glioblastoma.

Despite therapeutic interventions for glioblastoma (GBM), cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive recurrence. The precise mechanisms underlying CSC resistance, namely inhibition of cell death, are unclear. We built on previous observations that the high cell surface expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A drives CSC maintenance and identified downstream signaling networks, including the cysteine protease inhibitor SerpinB3. Using genetic depletion approaches, we found that SerpinB3 is necessary for CSC maintenance, survival, and tumor growth, as well as CSC pathway activation. Knockdown of SerpinB3 also increased apoptosis and susceptibility to radiation therapy. SerpinB3 was essential to buffer cathepsin L-mediated cell death, which was enhanced with radiation. Finally, we found that SerpinB3 knockdown increased the efficacy of radiation in pre-clinical models. Taken together, our findings identify a GBM CSC-specific survival mechanism involving a cysteine protease inhibitor, SerpinB3, and provide a potential target to improve the efficacy of GBM therapies against therapeutically resistant CSCs.

Study of management of appendicular abscess in children.

AIM: To compare the outcomes in children who underwent emergency surgery and those who underwent percutaneous drainage for appendicular abscess. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 45 children of appendicular abscess detected on ultrasonogram (USG) were included in the study. The following characteristics were registered: age, gender, the time from onset of symptoms to seeking care, pain, vomiting, fever and general peritonitis; white blood cell count. The size, location of the abscess was noted on USG. After the diagnosis, we divided the patients into two groups based on the type of management. Patients who underwent emergency surgery and appendectomy (Group 1) which composed of twenty patients (14 males and six females) with their ages ranged from 3 to 18 years, and patients treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage and interval appendectomy (Group 2) which composed of 25 patients, (15 males and ten females) with their ages ranged from 2 to 18 years. RESULTS: Group 1 included twenty patients and Group 2 included 25 patients. In Group 1, on USG the average size of the abscess was 7.2 ± 2.5 cm. After the surgery regained their functional recovery during a mean period of 3.2 ± 1 days. In Group 2, on USG average abscess size was 6.8 ± 2.4 cm. After the procedure regained their functional recovery on the second day. No major complications were noted in Group 2. On the contrary, 12 patients (60%) of Group 1 show complications in the form of wound infection in eight children and wound dehiscence in four children. CONCLUSIONS: USG-guided percutaneous drainage was safe and effective way of management of appendicular abscess.

Bran-induced effects on the evolution of bubbles and rheological properties in bread dough.

Evolution of bubbles is the key to volume development in bread dough. The influence of wheat bran on bubble growth in bread dough through the mixing, fermentation, and proofing stages is described as a function of its level of addition. Confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with image processing tools was used to obtain the bubble size and shape parameters. The relationship between bubble behavior and dough rheology was mapped using biaxial extension and dynamic oscillatory rheometry studies. With increase in level of bran addition, mean bubble size decreased corresponding to each stage and showed an inverse relationship with dough overpressure and elastic modulus. Addition of wheat bran was observed to suppress the bubble coarsening phenomenon in dough. Experimental observations indicated the plausibility of coalescence-mediated bubble growth in bread dough during the latter stages of fermentation and proofing, which was hindered in the presence of bran particles. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this work provide an insight to the underlying mechanism by which wheat bran addition impacts the volume development in bread dough. The inferences presented in this research work can be used as a basis to study bubble dynamics in an opaque food system such as bread dough. This information would be of interest to industrial researchers working on the new product development of aerated bakery products with functional fibrous ingredients.

Effect of temperature abuse on frozen army rations: Part 2: Predicting microbial spoilage.

Numerically simulated heat transfer model of frozen US military rations was combined with microbial kinetics to predict the microbial spoilage of the food products, during two possible temperature abuse scenarios. An army breakfast menu box containing five different food items was selected for conducting this research. One of the food item in the menu box, beefsteak, was chosen for detailed microbial study. A microbial predictive tool was used to identify and evaluate the kinetics of the most prone microorganism that can grow in a beefsteak. Numerical predictions suggested that the food items exposed to external temperatures ranging from 20°C to 40°C can be allowed to stay at those temperatures for maximum times of 28.7h to 11.9h, respectively. The food items can be allowed to stay inside the broken freezer for a maximum time of 186h, to ensure microbial safety in the case of freezer failure.

Effect of temperature abuse on frozen army rations. Part 1: Developing a heat transfer numerical model based on thermo-physical properties of food.

Numerical simulation was carried out to predict the effect of external temperature conditions on thermal behavior of frozen US military rations, during storage and transportation. An army breakfast menu box containing beefsteaks, concentrated orange juice, peppers & onions, French toast, and Danishes, was selected for conducting this study. Thermo-physical properties of each food item were characterized using their composition and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Apparent heat capacity method was used to account for the latent heat of phase change during simulation of thawing and freezing. Numerically simulated results were experimentally validated using a gel-based model food system and the food items in the menu box. The average deviation between numerically predicted temperature and experimentally measured temperature for the model food system was approximately 1°C and for the targeted food items the deviation ranged from 2°C to 5°C, depending on the food item.

Comparison of two incision designs for surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar: A randomized comparative clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of flap design on visibility and accessibility during removal of impacted third molar and hematoma formation, wound gaping and healing of flap post-operatively. STUDY DESIGN: The randomized prospective comparative study included 30 patients with impacted mandibular third molars. Two flap designs namely envelope flap (Koener's incision) and 'triangular flap' (Ward's incision) were used. After 7 days, sutures were removed and status of wound, periodontal health, and progress of healing was assessed. Patients were followed through 15 days to judge the incidence of post-operative complications in both groups. RESULTS: No statistical differences were noted between the groups in terms of visibility, accessibility, excessive bleeding during surgery, healing of flap, sensitivity of adjacent teeth, and dry socket. A statistically significant difference was observed in post-operative hematoma, wound gaping, and distal pocket in adjacent tooth, which was significant in Ward's triangular incision group in comparison to Koeiner's envelope incision group. CONCLUSION: The selection of the flap design is dependent on needs of the case and preference of the operating surgeon and does not seem to have a significant influence on the health of tissues. In order to avoid wide area of exposure of bone, the operating surgeon should clinically and radiographically assess the designing of incision and mucoperiosteal flap, the clinical relevance is still debatable.

Bimaxillary presentation of central ossifying fibroma: a unique aggressive entity.

Central ossifying fibroma is a benign neoplasm, having slow growing nature. Some rare lesions show very aggressive nature, multifocal appearance and reach up to a very massive size. So, these kinds of cases require special attention for their treatment. A unique case of central ossifying fibroma with aggressive nature, multifocal appearance is reported. This case shows growth both in maxilla and mandible with maxillary lesion massive in size involving maxillary sinus. There have not been any such cases reported so far in the literature showing bimaxillary growth of ossifying fibroma.

Osteoblastoma in the retromolar region - Report of an unusual case and Review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Benign osteoblastoma is a rare tumor of bone representing less than 1% of all tumors of the maxillofacial region. There is a slight predilection for the mandible. More frequent sites for this tumor are the vertebral column, sacrum, long bones, and calvarium. A small predilection in males exists. The age of occurrence ranges from 5 to 37 years, with an average of 16.5. Clinically, patients have pain and swelling. The tumor contains a well-vascularized, osteoblastic connective tissue stroma. Osteoclasts may also be present. Osteoid with varying degrees of calcification, as well as immature bone, is noted. CASE REPORT: Very few cases of osteoblastomas occurring in the jaws have been reported in the literature. This is one such a rare case report of OB occurring in a 45 year old female patient with a swelling in right lower back region since 5 years. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Osteoblastoma has to be differentiated from other bone lesions for correct diagnosis. Many bone producing lesions possess some overlapping clinical, radiographic or histopathological findings similar to osteoblastoma. Understanding and correlating all these features is of utmost importance. This helps in correctly diagnosing and helps in adequate management of this rare entity, giving a good prognosis.

Use of molecular imaging to differentiate liver metastasis of colorectal cancer metastasis from neuroendocrine tumor origin.

Synchronous malignant neoplasms in a single patient are well documented in the literature. It is also recognized that there is increasing incidence of synchronous non-neuroendocrine neoplasm in patients with neuroendocrine tumor (NET). We present a case, of a patient with synchronous colorectal cancer and pancreatic NET, both cancers presenting with liver metastasis. By using 18F-FDG PET and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET imaging, we showed 2 different tumor types within the liver, which was subsequently confirmed on liver biopsy. This case report shows the utility of molecular imaging using different PET peptides. These newer modalities are useful in understanding the biology of the NET and in determining the best patient management.

Media optimization for biosurfactant production by Rhodococcus erythropolis MTCC 2794: artificial intelligence versus a statistical approach.

This paper entails a comprehensive study on production of a biosurfactant from Rhodococcus erythropolis MTCC 2794. Two optimization techniques--(1) artificial neural network (ANN) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA) and (2) response surface methodology (RSM)--were used for media optimization in order to enhance the biosurfactant yield by Rhodococcus erythropolis MTCC 2794. ANN and RSM models were developed, incorporating the quantity of four medium components (sucrose, yeast extract, meat peptone, and toluene) as independent input variables and biosurfactant yield [calculated in terms of percent emulsification index (% EI(24))] as output variable. ANN-GA and RSM were compared for their predictive and generalization ability using a separate data set of 16 experiments, for which the average quadratic errors were approximately 3 and approximately 6%, respectively. ANN-GA was found to be more accurate and consistent in predicting optimized conditions and maximum yield than RSM. For the ANN-GA model, the values of correlation coefficient and average quadratic error were approximately 0.99 and approximately 3%, respectively. It was also shown that ANN-based models could be used accurately for sensitivity analysis. ANN-GA-optimized media gave about a 3.5-fold enhancement in biosurfactant yield.

The obstetrician and gynaecologist and the European Computer Driving Licence.

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) has been adopted as the reference standard for all NHS staff for basic IT skills. The objective of the study was to determine awareness of the ECDL amongst members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. An anonymous postal survey was conducted with members and fellows of the College in three UK regions. A total of 720 questionnaires were posted, and the response rate was 47.9 per cent. A fifth of all respondents were not aware of the ECDL at all, and only 10 per cent were trained in the ECDL. However, more than third had some other formal training in IT skills. Half the respondents suggested that the questionnaire had prompted them to train for the ECDL. Much needs to be done to increase awareness of the ECDL and offer incentives for its takeup.

Use of response surface optimization for the production of biosurfactant from Rhodococcus spp. MTCC 2574.

The production of biosurfactant from Rhodococcus spp. MTCC 2574 was effectively enhanced by response surface methodology (RSM). Rhodococcus spp. MTCC 2574 was selected through screening of seven different Rhodococcus strains. The preliminary screening experiments (one-factor at a time) suggested that carbon source: mannitol, nitrogen source: yeast extract and meat peptone and inducer: n-hexadecane are the critical medium components. The concentrations of these four media components were optimized by using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) of RSM. The adequately high R2 value (0.947) and F score 19.11 indicated the statistical significance of the model. The optimum medium composition for biosurfactant production was found to contain mannitol (1.6 g/L), yeast extract (6.92 g/L), meat peptone (19.65 g/L), n-hexadecane (63.8 g/L). The crude biosurfactant was obtained from methyl tert-butyl ether extraction. The yield of biosurfactant before and after optimization was 3.2 g/L of and 10.9 g/L, respectively. Thus, RSM has increased the yield of biosurfactant to 3.4-fold. The crude biosurfactant decreased the surface tension of water from 72 mN/m to 30.8 mN/m (at 120 mg L(-1)) and achieved a critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of 120 mg L(-1).

Solid-state fermentation for enhanced production of laccase using indigenously isolated Ganoderma sp.

Laccase production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using an indigenously isolated white rot basidiomycete Ganoderma sp. was studied. Among the various agricultural wastes tested, wheat bran was found to be the best substrate for laccase production. Solid-state fermentation parameters such as optimum substrate, initial moisture content, and inoculum size were optimized using the one-factor-at-a-time method. A maximum laccase yield of 2,400 U/g dry substrate (U/gds) was obtained using wheat bran as substrate with 70% initial moisture content at 25 degrees C and the seven agar plugs as the inoculum. Further enhancement in laccase production was achieved by supplementing the solid-state medium with additional carbon and nitrogen source such as starch and yeast extract. This medium was optimized by response surface methodology, and a fourfold increase in laccase activity (10,050 U/g dry substrate) was achieved. Thus, the indigenous isolate seems to be a potential laccase producer using SSF. The process also promises economic utilization and value addition of agro-residues.

Application of response surface methodology to cell immobilization for the production of palatinose.

Response surface methodology (RSM), based on multivariate non-linear model, was applied to study the interactions and optimization of the immobilization parameters for cell entrapment, namely alginate concentration, cell loading and bead diameter using Erwinia rhapontici NCPPB 1578 that produced palatinose. ANOVA analysis and statistical parameters calculations showed that RSM could be used effectively to model and improve a complex system like cell immobilization. Palatinose yield was increased by 40%. The maximum yield of 140 mg/ml was achieved in a batch of 1h at alginate concentration of 5% w/v, cell loading of 5 g l(-1) and 2.25 mm bead diameter. Thus, the E. rhapontici NCPPB 1578 immobilization in alginate bead and subsequent palatinose yield was successfully improved by application of RSM technique.