3D printed arrowroot starch-gellan scaffolds for wound healing applications.

Skin, the largest organ in the body, blocks the entry of environmental pollutants into the system. Any injury to this organ allows infections and other harmful substances into the body. 3D bioprinting, a state-of-the-art technique, is suitable for fabricating cell culture scaffolds to heal chronic wounds rapidly. This study uses starch extracted from Maranta arundinacea (Arrowroot plant) (AS) and gellan gum (GG) to develop a bioink for 3D printing a scaffold capable of hosting animal cells. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) prove that the isolated AS is analogous to commercial starch. The cell culture scaffolds developed are superior to the existing monolayer culture. Infrared microscopy shows the AS-GG interaction and elucidates the mechanism of hydrogel formation. The physicochemical properties of the 3D-printed scaffold are analyzed to check the cell adhesion and growth; SEM images have confirmed that the AS-GG printed scaffold can support cell growth and proliferation, and the MTT assay shows good cell viability. Cell behavioral and migration studies reveal that cells are healthy. Since the scaffold is biocompatible, it can be 3D printed to any shape and structure and will biodegrade in the requisite time.

A review of immune modulators and immunotherapy in infectious diseases.

The human immune system responds to harmful foreign invaders frequently encountered by the body and employs defense mechanisms to counteract such assaults. Various exogenous and endogenous factors play a prominent role in maintaining the balanced functioning of the immune system, which can result in immune suppression or immune stimulation. With the advent of different immune-modulatory agents, immune responses can be modulated or regulated to control infections and other health effects. Literature provides evidence on various immunomodulators from different sources and their role in modulating immune responses. Due to the limited efficacy of current drugs and the rise in drug resistance, there is a growing need for new therapies for infectious diseases. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of different immune-modulating agents and immune therapies specifically focused on viral infectious diseases.

A rare case of sigmoid intussusception. A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Colorectal intussusception can be quite challenging to identify, especially its malignant nature. This is a fairly rare presentation and hence, there is not much associated research or cases reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 69 year old male with lower abdominal pain and a significant rectal prolapse. He has a background history of heavy smoking and significant alcohol intake. The prolapse was irreducible and had papillomatous changes present on the prolapsed mucosa. A computerized tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large rectal prolapse followed by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Pelvis which showed an intussusception at the S2-3 level, consistent with a carcinoma, The patient then proceeded to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy with a planned proceed to an anterior resection. Histopathology revealed sigmoid and descending colon adenocarcinoma with mucinous differentiation pT3N0. He had an unremarkable hospital stay and remained well on follow up. His case was discussed at the multidisciplinary meeting and was not for any adjuvant chemotherapy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Imaging can help aid early diagnosis of a colorectal intussusception. Colonoscopies can be useful too; however these can be tricky to diagnose pre-operatively. If there is a high suspicion of malignancy, routine resection is the preferred method of treatment in cases of colorectal intussusception. CONCLUSION: Although not a very common presentation, diagnosis of colorectal cancer presenting as an intussusception can be dealt with imminently by considering operative measures.

Antineoplastic effects of cassava-cyanide extract on human glioblastoma (LN229) cells.

Several natural compounds reduce tumour cell growth and metastasis by inducing programmed cell death. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) contains cyanogenic glycosides such as, linamarin and lotaustralin, can be enzymatically cleaved by linamarase to release hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which can have therapeutic benefits against hypertension, asthma, and cancer. We have developed a technology for isolating bio-active principles from cassava leaves.The present study is designed to analyze the cytotoxic effect of cassava cyanide extract (CCE) against human glioblastoma cells (LN229). The treatment of CCE demonstrated a dose dependent toxicity on glioblastoma cells. At higher concentration tested, the CCE (400 µg/mL) was found to be cytotoxic, reducing the cell viability to 14.07 ± 2.15% by negatively influencing the mitochondrial activity, and lysosomal and cytoskeletal integrity. Coomassie's brilliant blue staining confirmed cells' morphological aberration after 24 h of treatment with CCE. Moreover, DCFH-DA assay and Griess reagent showed an increase in ROS but a decrease in RNS production at a concentration of CCE. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CCE interfered with G0/G1, S, and G2/M stages of the cell cycle of glioblastoma, and Annexin/PI staining indicated a dose-dependent increase in cell death, confirming the toxic nature of CCE on LN229 cells. These findings suggest that cassava cyanide extract has potential as an antineoplastic agent against glioblastoma cells, which is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat type of brain cancer. However, it is important to note that the study was conducted in vitro, and further research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of CCE in vivo. Additionally, it is essential to establish the optimal dose and potential side effects before considering its use as a therapeutic agent.

The impact of e-cigarette exposure on different organ systems: A review of recent evidence and future perspectives.

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) is rapidly increasing worldwide and is promoted as a smoking cessation tool. The impact of traditional cigs on human health has been well-defined in both animal and human studies. In contrast, little is known about the adverse effects of e-cigs exposure on human health. This review summarizes the impact of e-cigs exposure on different organ systems based on the rapidly expanding recent evidence from experimental and human studies. A number of growing studies have shown the adverse effects of e-cigs exposure on various organ systems. The summarized data in this review indicate that while e-cigs use causes less adverse effects on different organs compared to traditional cigs, its long-term exposure may lead to serious health effects. Data on short-term organ effects are limited and there is no sufficient evidence on long-term organ effects. Moreover, the adverse effects of secondhand and third hand e-cigs vapour exposure have not been thoroughly investigated in previous studies. Although some studies demonstrated e-cigs used as a smoking cessation tool, there is a lack of strong evidence to support it. While some researchers suggested e-cigs as a safer alternative to tobacco smoking, their long-term exposure health effects remain largely unknown. Therefore, more epidemiological and prospective studies including mechanistic studies are needed to address the potential adverse health effects of e-cigs to draw a firm conclusion about their safe use. A wide variation in e-cigs products and the lack of standardized testing methods are the major barriers to evaluating the existing data. Specific regulatory guidelines for both e-cigs components and the manufacturing process may be effective to protect consumer health.

Breast Radiation Recall Phenomenon After Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Series.

We report three cases of AstraZeneca vaccine (AZV)-induced radiation recall phenomenon (RRP) in three women who had previously undergone radiotherapy for breast cancer. RRP is a rare complication of vaccination that can mimic the more common pathology of breast cellulitis. Emergency physicians, primary care specialists, and surgeons should be aware of RRP when treating patients in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) climate.

Clinicopathological and morphological spectrum of gastrointestinal stromal tumours on multi-detector computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinicopathological and morphological features of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: MDCT (plain and post contrast) images of 25 confirmed cases of GISTs were retrospectively evaluated from our hospital database. The images were analysed for the location, size, growth pattern, attenuation pattern, relation to adjacent structures, presence or absence of ulceration, calcification, metastases, lymphadenopathy, and for any complications such as haemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, etc. Institutional Ethics Committee clearance was obtained prior to the commencement of the study. Statistics used included percentage frequency. RESULTS: Our study group comprised 14 males and 11 females. The mean age of our study population was 60 years (age range: 40 to 82 years). The mean tumour size was 11.7 cm. The stomach and small bowel accounted for 76% of the primary tumour site. The commonest imaging appearance of GIST observed in our study was that of an exophytic mass (76%) with a heterogenous pattern of enhancement (96%) with intratumoural necrosis (76%). MDCT demonstrated complications in three patients (12%). Six patients presented with metastatic foci (five to the liver and one to the lung), while lymphadenopathy was observed in five patients (20%). Associated complications included intestinal obstruction (8%) and retrogastric haematoma (4%). Incidental findings included uterine fibroid (n = 1), ovarian dermoid (n = 1), and chronic pancreatitis (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: GISTs are predominantly large tumours with a well circumscribed and exophytic pattern on MDCT, with or without cystic/necrotic areas, and they mostly show a heterogenous pattern of enhancement on post-contrast administration.

Tetralogy of Fallot with acquired coronary artery disease-An unusual presentation.

Coronary artery disease developing in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is rare. We report a rare case of TOF with acquired coronary artery disease, treated simultaneously with intra cardiac repair and multi vessel coronary artery bypass grafting.

A Rare Case of Mitral Valve Prolapse in Endomyocardial Fibrosis.

Mitral valve prolapse in endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is an unusual entity. Literature search reveals only 1 report of mitral valve prolapse assosiated with EMF. A 32-year-old woman, of African origin, who presented with features of right heart failure, was diagnosed to have mitral valve prolapse of rheumatic origin with severe mitral regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH). Intraoperative findings lead to the diagnosis of EMF. We report this rare case of mitral valve prolapse in EMF, in a geographical area where rheumatic heart disease is endemic, to showcase how a rare manifestation of EMF can be misdiagnosed as that of rheumatic heart disease.