Biometric analysis of furcation area of molar teeth and its relationship with instrumentation.

The anatomy of furcation favours the bacterial retention and makes periodontal debridement as well as oral hygiene procedures difficult. Teeth that have lost attachment to a level of the furcation are said to have a furcal invasion or furcation involved.Involvement of furcation in a multi-rooted tooth poses a very different type of clinical situation in terms of establishment of diagnosis, determination of prognosis and of course planning the treatment modality.The present study was carried out on 200 selected extracted human first and second permanent molar teeth based on a predefined criteria. Teeth with prosthetic crowns, fused or fractured roots, those not fully developed, grossly carious or heavily restored at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) were excluded from the study. The morphology of the root trunk was recorded by measuring various dimensions of the root trunk,including furcal angle and root trunk volume was calculated by using a custom made special apparatus. The furcation areas were debrided with different types of curettes in the market in order to see how best the instrument could be maneuvered in the furcation area. The data so obtained was statistically analysed using SPSS version 22. The highest root trunk volume and the longest root trunk length were found to be in the maxillary second molar. 48.60% furcations didn't allow instrument engagementof furcation area with standard area specific curettes. The proposal of inclusion of root trunk length (mm) is suggested in addition to classification of FI to have assess prognosis and appropriate treatment for of the involved tooth.

Correlation of oxygenation indices in invasive mechanical ventilated adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is essential for managing acute respiratory failure, but traditional methods of assessing oxygenation, like the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, pose challenges due to invasiveness and cost. OBJECTIVE: This single-centre prospective observational study aimed to assess the potential of the non-invasive Oxygen Saturation Index (OSI), utilising SpO2 measurements, to diagnose hypoxemia in mechanically ventilated adults. The study sought to establish correlations between OSI, oxygenation index (OI), PaO2/FiO2 ratio and SpO2/FiO2 ratio. METHODS: From August 2022 to July 2023, data was collected from 1055 mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. Statistical analysis included correlation tests, receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis and cut-off value determination for hypoxemia diagnosis. RESULTS: We found that the P/F ratio had a statistically significant negative correlation with OI (correlation coefficient -0.832, P value: 0.000 in hypoxemic group and correlation coefficient -0.888, P value: 0.000 in the non-hypoxemic group), and OSI (correlation coefficient -0.746, P value: 0.000 in hypoxemic group and correlation coefficient -0.629, P value: 0.000 in non-hypoxemic group) and has a positive correlation with P/F ratio (correlation coefficient 0.92, P value: 0.000 in hypoxemic group and correlation coefficient -0.67, P value: 0.000 in non-hypoxemic group). OI and OSI had a statistically significant correlation (correlation coefficient 0.955, P value: 0.000 in hypoxemic group and correlation coefficient 0.815, P value: 0.000 in non-hypoxemic group). on ROC analysis P/F ratio was the most accurate in predicting hypoxia followed by OI and OSI. with a cut-off value, of OI being 7.07, and that for OSI being 3.90, at an 80% sensitivity level to diagnose hypoxemia. CONCLUSION: OSI can serve as a dependable surrogate for OI, simplifying ARDS severity assessment. The P/F ratio is the most accurate predictor of hypoxia. Further research, especially in larger multicentre studies, is needed to validate these findings and explore the long-term clinical implications of using OSI for oxygenation monitoring in mechanically ventilated patients.

Ultrafast Removal of Thorium and Uranium from Radioactive Waste and Groundwater Using Highly Efficient and Radiation-Resistant Functionalized Triptycene-Based Porous Organic Polymers.

Thorium (Th) and uranium (U) are important strategic resources in nuclear energy-based heavy industries such as energy and defense sectors that also generate significant radioactive waste in the process. The management of nuclear waste is therefore of paramount importance. Contamination of groundwater/surface water by Th/U is increasing at an alarming rate in certain geographical locations. This necessitates the development of strategic adsorbent materials with improved performance for capturing Th/U species from radioactive waste and groundwater. This report describes the design of a unique, robust, and radiation-resistant porous organic polymer (POP: TP-POP-SO3NH4), which demonstrates ultrafast removal of Th(IV) (<30 s)/U(VI) (<60 s) species present in simulated radioactive wastewater/groundwater samples. Thermal, chemical, and radiation stabilities of these POPs were studied in detail. The synthesized ammoniated POP revealed exceptional capture efficiency for trace-level Th (<4 ppb) and U (<3 ppb) metal ions through the cation-exchange mechanism. TP-POP-SO3NH4 shows a significant sorption capacity [Th (787 mg/g) and U (854 mg/g)] with an exceptionally high distribution coefficient (Kd) of 107 mL/g for Th. This work also demonstrates a facile protocol to convert a nonperforming POP, by simple chemical modifications, into a superfast adsorbent for efficient uptake/removal of U/Th.

Utility of COVID-19 Seropositive Plasma as Convalescent Plasma: An Immune and Neutralization Antibody Seroprevalence Analysis in Blood Donors for Future Potential Pandemic Readiness.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in blood donors during the second wave of the pandemic and to explore the utility of COVID-19 seropositive plasma as convalescent plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 696 blood donors were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using a chemiluminescence assay. By blinding, 271 samples were chosen randomly for testing of neutralizing antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in duplicate among the 696 blood donors tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, irrespective of the positivity or negativity of the result of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies by chemiluminescence assay. IgG antibody levels were analyzed in signal-to-cutoff (S/Co), while neutralizing antibody levels were analyzed in percentage inhibition. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of IgG antibodies based on the S/Co for the positive results ≥ 1.00 was 82.75%, while the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies based on the percentage inhibition for the positive results ≥ 30% was 89.59%. Frontline workers (FLWs) and Covishield-vaccinated individuals showed higher levels of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies regarding higher S/Co. In comparison, levels of neutralization antibodies regarding percentage inhibition were higher only in FLWs. Covishield-vaccinated donors elicited a statistically higher seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies compared to the Covaxin-vaccinated, while the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies was not statistically different among this group. There was a positive correlation (0.762) between anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies, and almost all donors' of S/Co ≥ 9.5 had neutralizing antibodies. CONCLUSION: This study showed higher seroprevalence in the blood donor population compared to published seroprevalence in India's second wave of the pandemic. In the current study, 328 donors (47.12%) of the 696 screened donors were neither vaccinated nor had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, but many had antibodies. The seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies (96.42%) was higher than the seroprevalence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies (85.71%) in the donors who had previous infection of COVID-19. On the other hand, vaccinated donors showed similar immune responses for neutralizing antibodies and the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Higher IgG immune reactivity in S/Co showed a good correlation with neutralizing antibodies and can be used to screen whole blood donors for convalescent plasma donations.

Prevalence and Severity of Periodontal Disease and its Association with Type-II Diabetes Mellitus and Smoking by Using Periodontal Screening and Recording: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Periodontal screening recording (PSR) is considered a quick, reliable, reproducible valuable screening tool for periodontal disease. This study aims to find the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease and its association with self-reported diabetic status and smoking history of the patients by using PSR codes over a period of 2 years. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study in a dental hospital in Chandigarh. Data of 10,882 patients comprising self-reported history of smoking (893) and diabetes (725) patients were assessed for the prevalence of periodontal disease by using PSR codes. Pearson Chi-Square test was used for statistical evaluation of PSR codes data. Results: Out of a total of 65,292 sextants assessed, the maximum and minimum reported PSR codes were 2 and 4, respectively. Gingivitis was found to be the most prevalent, followed by periodontitis and periodontal health in the total assessed population (P < 0.001). Mucogingival problems and complete edentulism were found to be more prevalent in posterior sextants in comparison to anterior sextants. Both self-reported smokers and type-II diabetes mellitus patients presented gingivitis as the most common clinical presentation, with the highest prevalence seen in the 55-74-year age group, which also comprised the group with maximum mucogingival problems and edentulism. Conclusion: This study gives an overview of patients' general oral health status and reflects the burden of periodontal disease in the Chandigarh region, thus contributing to the national oral health data.

SEW2871 reduces seizures via the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 pathway in the pentylenetetrazol and phenobarbitone kindling model of drug-refractory epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by neuronal hypersynchronous discharge in the brain, leading to central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. Despite the availability of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), resistance to AEDs is the greatest challenge in treating epilepsy. The role of sphingosine-1-phosphate-receptor 1 (S1PR1) in drug-resistant epilepsy is unexplored. This study investigated the effects of SEW2871, a potent S1PR1 agonist, on a phenobarbitone (PHB)-resistant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled Wistar rat model. We measured the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of multi-drug resistance 1 (MDR1) and multi-drug resistance protein 5 (MRP5) as indicators for drug resistance. Rats received PHB + PTZ for 62 days to develop a drug-resistant epilepsy model. From day 48, SEW2871 (0.25, 0.5, 0.75 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) was administered for 14 days. Seizure scoring, behaviour, oxidative markers like reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, inflammatory markers like interleukin 1 beta tumour necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma and mRNA expression (MDR1 and MRP5) were assessed, and histopathological assessments were conducted. SEW2871 demonstrated dose-dependent improvements in seizure scoring and neurobehavioral parameters with a reduction in oxidative and inflammation-induced neuronal damage. The S1PR1 agonist also downregulated MDR1 and MRP5 gene expression and significantly decreased the number of dark-stained pyknotic nuclei and increased cell density with neuronal rearrangement in the rat brain hippocampus. These findings suggest that SEW2871 might ameliorate epileptic symptoms by modulating drug resistance through downregulation of MDR1 and MRP5 gene expression.

Intrinsic dichroism in amorphous and crystalline solids with helical light.

Amorphous solids do not exhibit long-range order due to the disordered arrangement of atoms. They lack translational and rotational symmetry on a macroscopic scale and are therefore isotropic. As a result, differential absorption of polarized light, called dichroism, is not known to exist in amorphous solids. Using helical light beams that carry orbital angular momentum as a probe, we demonstrate that dichroism is intrinsic to both amorphous and crystalline solids. We show that in the nonlinear regime, helical dichroism is responsive to the short-range order and its origin is explained in terms of interband multiphoton assisted tunneling. We also demonstrate that the helical dichroism signal is sensitive to chirality and its strength can be controlled and tuned using a superposition of OAM and Gaussian beams. Our research challenges the conventional knowledge that dichroism does not exist in amorphous solids and enables to manipulate the optical properties of solids.

Identification of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and various risk factors in dentists.

Purpose: The awkward and repetitive movements lead to tissue straining, potentially leading to painful musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs in dentists result in work inefficiency and a reduction in work hours. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of MSDs amongst the dental population of interest. Methods: Customized individual detail questionnaires, Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaires, and Level of Pain estimation using the Likert Scale were used to deduce the various responsible risk factors for the occurrence of MSDs in dentists. Inferential statistical analysis was done to identify the prevalence and severity of the MSDs. The Chi-Square test (95 % confidence interval) was used to identify and compare the association of risk factors involved in MSDs with the occurrence of the Effect of MSDs, the presence of MSDs, and the severity of the MSDs. Results: The results of the study deduced that the dentists followed the sedentary work practices. The dentists experienced maximum discomfort in the neck region, which was accompanied by the discomfort experienced in the lower back, hands and wrists, making the upper extremity being more susceptible to the MSDs. Gender risk factors the, the prevalence of MSDs in the dentist's upper back, and the severity of pain in the upper back region showed a significant association level. Conclusion: The wrist posture, the prevalence of MSDs and the severity of pain in the dentists' neck, shoulder and upper back showed a significant association level.

Knowledge of ocular infections among the dental practitioners across India: a cross sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Ocular issues such as impaired vision, ophthalmia, orbital cellulitis, and blindness are not common with dental infections. However, there is absence of set guidelines in prevention and management of ocular issues arising from dental infections. Hence the knowledge and vantage point of the dentists with respect to ocular complications arising from dental infections was evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study reviews the knowledge of dentists with association of eye infection due to dental contamination. METHOD: A cross sectional survey using standardized questionnaires were sent suing social media platform among the academicians and practicing dental clinicians. All the questionnaires were content validated by three ophthalmologists. Descriptive statistics was scrutinized and tabulated by employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL). Chi square tests was used. RESULTS: About 69.1%(65) and 30.9%( 29) of BDS and MDS grduates have experienced ocular complications because of dental contamination. This distribution showed no statistical significance (p = 0.25). 73.8% (183) and 28.2%( 65) had compliance with the eye protection, 77.7% (160) of BDS graduates and 22.3% (46) of MDS graduates preferred safety eye wear. This distribution showed statistical significance (p = 0.00). About 76.2% (279) of BDS graduates and 23.8%( 67) of MDS graduates faced ocular infections because of different types of splashes which included water, blood and saliva. (p = 0.23) CONCLUSION: This study puts an emphasis on the knowledge assessment among the dental practitioners on the importance of preventive barriers, and how special protective gear is required for doing cases undergoing dental treatment.

Inflammation drives pathogenesis of early intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

Patients with intestinal failure who receive long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) often develop intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Although there are identified risk factors, the early pathogenesis is poorly understood and treatment options are limited. Here, we perform a transcriptomic analysis of liver tissue in a large animal IFALD model to generate mechanistic insights and identify therapeutic targets. Preterm Yorkshire piglets were provided PN or bottle-fed with sow-milk replacer for 14 days. Compared to bottle-fed controls, piglets receiving PN developed biochemical cholestasis by day of life 15 (total bilirubin 0.2 vs. 2.9 mg/dL, P = 0.01). RNA-Seq of liver tissue was performed. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified 747 differentially expressed genes (343 upregulated and 404 downregulated) with an adjusted P < 0.05 and a fold-change of > |1|. Enriched canonical pathways were identified, demonstrating broad activation of inflammatory pathways and inhibition of cell cycle progression. Potential therapeutics including infliximab, glucocorticoids, statins, and obeticholic acid were identified as predicted upstream master regulators that may reverse the PN-induced gene dysregulation. The early driver of IFALD in neonates may be inflammation with an immature liver; identified therapeutics that target the inflammatory response in the liver should be investigated as potential treatments.

MAPKs signaling is obligatory for male reproductive function in a development-specific manner.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) represent widely expressed and evolutionarily conserved proteins crucial for governing signaling pathways and playing essential roles in mammalian male reproductive processes. These proteins facilitate the transmission of signals through phosphorylation cascades, regulating diverse intracellular functions encompassing germ cell development in testis, physiological maturation of spermatozoa within the epididymis, and motility regulation at ejaculation in the female reproductive tract. The conservation of these mechanisms appears prevalent across species, including humans, mice, and, to a limited extent, livestock species such as bovines. In Sertoli cells (SCs), MAPK signaling not only regulates the proliferation of immature SCs but also determines the appropriate number of SCs in the testes at puberty, thereby maintaining male fertility by ensuring the capacity for sperm cell production. In germ cells, MAPKs play a crucial role in dynamically regulating testicular cell-cell junctions, supporting germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Throughout spermatogenesis, MAPK signaling ensures the appropriate Sertoli-to-germ cell ratio by regulating apoptosis, controlling the metabolism of developing germ cells, and facilitating the maturation of spermatozoa within the cauda epididymis. During ejaculation in the female reproductive tract, MAPKs regulate two pivotal events-capacitation and the acrosome reaction essential for maintaining the fertility potential of sperm cells. Any disruptions in MAPK pathway signaling possibly may disturb the testicular microenvironment homeostasis, sperm physiology in the male body before ejaculation and in the female reproductive tract during fertilization, ultimately compromising male fertility. Despite decades of research, the physiological function of MAPK pathways in male reproductive health remains inadequately understood. The current review attempts to combine recent findings to elucidate the impact of MAPK signaling on male fertility and proposes future directions to enhance our understanding of male reproductive functions.

Comparison of Conventional Dose Versus Superdose Platelet-Rich Plasma for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Triple-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Confusion persists regarding the ideal dosage of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of 2 different single-injection PRP dosages in patients with early knee OA-a conventional 4 mL dose and a superdose of 8 mL. It was hypothesized that 8 mL of PRP would be superior to 4 mL of PRP in this patient population. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients with early knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1 and 2) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group A (n = 50 knees) received a 4-mL PRP injection, and group B (n = 49 knees) received an 8-mL PRP injection, both prepared using the same procedure. Patients were evaluated at the baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the WOMAC-Pain subscale, the visual analog scale for pain, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and patient satisfaction, and results were compared between the groups. Results: The baseline characteristics of the 2 groups were comparable (group A: mean age, 51.96 ± 6.93 years; group B: mean age, 49.12 ± 9.8 3 years). Leucocyte-depleted PRP with 3.5 times concentration (final product platelet concentration, 706.74 × 103-µL) was injected. The mean absolute platelet count injected was 2.82 ± 0.0012 billion in group A and 5.65 ± 0.0022 billion in group B. All patient-reported outcome scores improved significantly in both groups from the baseline to the final follow-up (P < .001), with overall trends and results significantly better in group B than in group A (P < .001). Patient satisfaction at the 6-month follow-up was also better in group B (96%) compared with group A (68%). Short (2 to 7 days) self-limiting complications, such as pain and stiffness, occurred more often in group B (P < .001). Conclusion: Patients with early knee OA had significantly better improvement in pain and function when treated with an 8-mL injection of PRP compared with a 4-mL injection of PRP. The larger dose of PRP had approximately twice the number of platelets. Registration: CTRI/2020/02/023403 (Clinical Trials Registry-India identifier).

To evaluate the effect of endothelin receptor agonist IRL-1620 alone and in combination with donepezil in modulating neurodegeneration elicited by amyloid-ß in rats.

BACKGROUND: The development of efficient therapies for Alzheimer''s disease is essential since it is a serious public health problem. This investigation sought to ascertain any potential synergistic benefits of treating Alzheimer's disease with IRL-1620 monotherapy in addition to Donepezil. Additionally, the effect of IRL-1620 was evaluated using different doses (5 µg/kg,7 µg/kg, and 9 µg/kg). The study further assessed neurobehavioral, biochemical, molecular, and histopathological parameters to evaluate the efficacy of both IRL1620 by its own and in association with Donepezil. Fifty-eight adult male Wistar rats were allocated to eight experimental groups. A dose-ranging study of IRL-1620 was conducted using different doses administered via intravenous injection. Alzheimer's disease was induced by Aß administration, and treatment arms included disease Control (Sham), Donepezil monotherapy, and combination treatment with IRL-1620 5 µg/kg (Dose selected from the dose-ranging study). The treatment using IRL-1620 (9 µg/kg) intravenously and Donepezil (1 mg/kg orally) both on its own and in addition substantially enhanced memory in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Dose of IRL-1620 (9 µg/kg) intravenously, escape latency decreased and the time spent in the target quadrant was considerably increased, and they further benefited from combination therapy. Moreover, IRL-1620 (9 µg/kg) intravenously and combination treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase levels while increasing antioxidant enzyme levels. Immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis revealed enhanced expression of neurotrophic factors with combination treatment. The combination of IRL-1620 and Donepezil showed significant improvements in memory and neurobehavioral parameters (p < 0.05). Alzheimer's disease in male Wistar rats. These results indicate to the probable therapeutic advantages of IRL-1620 and Donepezil in the management of Alzheimer's disease. The combination treatment exhibited enhanced effects compared to monotherapy, highlighting its potential promising therapeutic approach. Additional research is required to understand the mechanisms behind these synergistic benefits and to establish the ideal dosage and duration of therapy for therapeutic applications.

Cervical cancer: Novel treatment strategies offer renewed optimism.

Cervical cancer poses a significant global public health issue, primarily affecting women, and stands as one of the four most prevalent cancers affecting woman globally, which includes breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and cervical cancer. Almost every instance of cervical cancer is associated with infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Prevention of this disease hinges on screening and immunization of the patients, yet disparities in cervical cancer occurrence exist between developed and developing nations. Multiple factors contribute to cervical cancer, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), reproductive and hormonal influences, genetics, and host-related factors. Preventive programs, lifestyle improvements, smoking cessation, and prompt precancerous lesion treatment can reduce the occurrence of cervical cancer. The persistency and recurrence of the cases are inherited even after the innovative treatments available for cervical cancer. For patient's ineligible for curative surgery or radiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy remains the standard treatment. Novel treatment strategies are emerging to combat the limited effectiveness of chemotherapy. Nanocarriers offer the promise of concurrent chemotherapeutic drug delivery as a beacon of hope in cervical cancer research. The primary aim of this review study is to contribute to a thorough understanding of cervical cancer, fostering awareness and informed decision-making and exploring novel treatment methods such as nanocarriers for the treatment of cervical cancer. This manuscript delves into cutting-edge approaches, exploring the potential of nanocarriers and other innovative treatments. Our study underscores the critical need for global awareness, early intervention, and enhanced treatment options. Novel strategies, such as nanocarriers, offer renewed optimism in the battle against cervical cancer. This research provides compelling evidence for the investigation of these novel therapeutic approaches within the medical field. Cervical cancer remains a formidable adversary, but with ongoing advancements and unwavering commitment, we move closer to a future where it is a preventable and treatable disease, even in the most underserved regions.

Basophils Play a Protective Role in the Recovery of Skin Barrier Function from Mechanical Injury in Mice.

Physical trauma disrupts skin barrier function. How the skin barrier recovers is not fully understood. We evaluated in mice the mechanism of skin barrier recovery after mechanical injury inflicted by tape stripping. Tape stripping disrupted skin barrier function as evidenced by increased transepidermal water loss. We show that tape stripping induces IL-1-, IL-23-, and TCRγδ+-dependent upregulation of cutaneous Il17a and Il22 expression. We demonstrate that IL-17A and IL-22 induce epidermal hyperplasia, promote neutrophil recruitment, and delay skin barrier function recovery. Neutrophil depletion improved the recovery of skin barrier function and decreased epidermal hyperplasia. Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry analysis of skin cells revealed basophil infiltration into tape-stripped skin. Basophil depletion upregulated Il17a expression, increased neutrophil infiltration, and delayed skin barrier recovery. Comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed in tape-stripped skin of basophil-depleted mice and Il17a-/- mice indicated that basophils counteract the effects of IL-17A on the expression of epidermal and lipid metabolism genes important for skin barrier integrity. Our results demonstrate that basophils play a protective role by downregulating Il17a expression after mechanical skin injury, thereby counteracting the adverse effect of IL-17A on skin barrier function recovery, and suggest interventions to accelerate this recovery.

Therapeutic Leukocytapheresis to relieve priapism due to leukostasis in CML patients: Our experience in a tertiary care centre.

Hyperleukocytosis in leukemic patients may cause tumour lysis syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and leukostasis, resulting in decreased tissue perfusion and increasing the risk of mortality. Since the myeloid blasts are larger than lymphoid blasts and are less deformable, complications of leukostasis are seen more frequently in myeloid leukemia. Priapism is a less common complication associated with leukostasis in leukaemia patients that should be treated as soon as possible to avoid ischemic injuries. Although chemotherapeutic drugs such as hydroxyurea and imatinib are used to treat hyperleukocytosis in CML patients, leukocytapheresis (LCP) can achieve rapid cytoreduction. Prophylactic LCP could not offer any advantage over aggressive chemotherapy, but therapeutic leukocyte depletion has a proven role in patients having symptomatic leukostasis due to high tumour burden. Three patients with ischaemic priapism were reported at our institute's emergency department, where detumescence could not be achieved by distal shunting or aspiration with phenylephrine instillation. The procedure of therapeutic LCP was performed in all three patients on an emergency basis, which resolved painful priapism by rapid cytoreduction.

Autoimmune anti-D in an RhD-positive young infant: Learning from a rare case.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anti-D is usually immune in nature and is formed in individuals lacking D antigen or having variants/altered D phenotypes. In the Indian population, 93.8% are RhD positive, and R1 R1 is the commonest Rh phenotype. Here we report a rare and interesting case of autoimmune anti-D in an RhD-positive 3-month-old infant leading to warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Auto-anti-D was detected serologically by immunohaematological techniques such as direct antiglobulin test, antibody detection and identification, dithiothreitol, enzyme treatment, antibody titration and elution. Molecular studies were performed to rule out genetic variants of RhD. RESULTS: Anti-D was confirmed in eluate and blood group post elution was B RhD positive. On genotyping using the Indian-specific RHD genotyping assay, the sample was found to be negative for the RHD*01W.150 (most common RhD variant in Indians) but positive for RHD exon 5 and RHD exon 10 along with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). The sample was further sequenced for RHD exons 1-10 by Sanger sequencing and found to be a wild type, thus, ruling out the presence of an RhD variant. CONCLUSION: This case is of interest because of the rare occurrence of autoimmune anti-D in an RhD-positive patient of such a young age (3 months). To the best of our knowledge, only two case reports have been published on autoimmune anti-D in infancy (in 1961 and 1964).

"Comparative evaluation of different chemical agents induced Autism Spectrum Disorder in experimental Wistar rats".

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with uncertain etiology and pathophysiology. Several studies revealed that the commonly used animal models like Valproic Acid (VPA) and Propionic Acid (PPA) do not precisely represent the disease as the human patient does. The current study was conducted on different chemically (VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin (2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)) & Chlorpyrifos (CPF)) induced ASD-like animal models and validated the best suitable experimental animal model, which would closely resemble with clinical features of the ASD. This validated model might help to explore the pathophysiology of ASD. This study included rat pups prenatally exposed to VPA, PPA, Poly I:C, Dioxin & CPF within GD9 to GD15 doses. The model groups were validated through developmental and behavioral parameters, Gene Expressions, Oxidative Stress, and Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Developmental and neurobehavioral parameters showed significant changes in model groups compared to the control. In oxidative stress parameters and neuro-inflammatory cytokines levels, model groups exhibited high oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation compared to control groups. Gene expression profile of ASD-related genes showed significant downregulation in model groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the Poly I:C group showed more significant results than other model groups. The comparison of available ASD-like experimental animal models showed that the Poly I:C induced model represented the exact pathophysiology of ASD as the human patient does. Poly I:C was reported in the maternal immune system activation via the inflammatory cytokines pathway, altering embryonic development and causing ASD in neonates.