Characterizing melanoma in the setting of oculocutaneous albinism: an analysis of the literature.

Although it is established that individuals with albinism have increased risks for nonmelanoma skin cancers, melanomas occurring in the setting of albinism are rare. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for individual case reports describing melanoma in individuals with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). All published cases characterizing individuals with albinism and melanoma in the medical literature were gathered to evaluate any epidemiologic or histologic differences from melanomas arising in the general population. Frequencies of melanoma characteristics between the OCA literature cohort and general population were compared using Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals. From 1952 to 2018, at least 64 cases of melanoma in 56 individuals with albinism were reported in the global medical literature. The median age of diagnosis for melanoma in individuals with albinism was 41 years, and the median Breslow depth at diagnosis was 2.0 mm. The subtypes of melanoma were nodular in 33% and superficial spreading in 46% of these cases, respectively. Amelanotic melanomas comprised 65% of the cases in our OCA cohort; however, histologic subtypes were only available for fourteen of the amelanotic cases. Finally, 17% of melanomas in patients with albinism arose from preexisting lesions. Despite their rarity, melanomas arising in oculocutaneous albinism have distinct characteristics from melanomas arising in the general population. Clinicians should consider a differential diagnosis of melanoma for any potential skin malignancies in individuals with albinism.

Novel study on improvement of plastics properties by blending of waste micro plastics into ABS plastics.

Occupancy of waste micro plastic particles in the beach sand is found hazardous sea livings as well as creates the environmental issues. Many research attempts have been made to short out them. This investigation focuses on utilizing such micro plastic to produce cost effective ABS plasticproducts including toys manufacturing. The screened out micro plastic particles were chemically refined to obtain the pro form of Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) and then they used (10 wt%, 15 wt%, 20 wt%and 25 wt%) with raw ABS plastic and prepared billets by injection moulding. The moulding parameters like melting temperature (230 °C, 240 °C, 250 °C and 260 °C), injection pressure (1300 bar, 1400 bar, 1500 bar and 1600 bar) and injection time (0.4s, 0.8s, 1.2s and 1.6s) to maximize the Impact, tensile and flexural strengths of proposed plastic with Taguchi method. The results reveal that 25% micro plastic reinforced specimen prepared at 250 °C, 1400 bar and 1.6s, is outperformed.

Transport of condensing droplets in Taylor-Green vortex flow in the presence of thermal noise.

We study the role of phase change and thermal noise in particle transport in turbulent flows. We employ a toy model to extract the main physics: Condensing droplets are modelled as heavy particles which grow in size, the ambient flow is modelled as a two-dimensional Taylor-Green flow consisting of an array of vortices delineated by separatrices, and thermal noise are modelled as uncorrelated Gaussian white noise. In general, heavy inertial particles are centrifuged out of regions of high vorticity and into regions of high strain. In cellular flows, we find, in agreement with earlier results, that droplets with Stokes numbers smaller than a critical value, St

Long-acting pasireotide improves clinical signs and quality of life in Cushing's disease: results from a phase III study.

PURPOSE: Cushing's disease (CD) is associated with significant clinical burden, increased mortality risk, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This analysis explored the effect of long-acting pasireotide on clinical signs of hypercortisolism and HRQoL in a large subset of patients with CD. METHODS: In this phase III study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01374906), 150 adults with CD and a mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) level between 1.5 and 5.0 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) started long-acting pasireotide 10 or 30 mg every 28 days with dose increases/decreases permitted based on mUFC levels/tolerability (minimum/maximum dose: 5/40 mg). Changes in clinical signs of hypercortisolism and HRQoL were assessed over 12 months of treatment and were stratified by degree of mUFC control for each patient. RESULTS: Patients with controlled mUFC at month 12 (n = 45) had the greatest improvements from baseline in mean systolic (- 8.4 mmHg [95% CI - 13.9, - 2.9]) and diastolic blood pressure (- 6.0 mmHg [- 10.0, - 2.0]). Mean BMI, weight, and waist circumference improved irrespective of mUFC control. Significant improvements in CushingQoL total score of 5.9-8.3 points were found at month 12 compared with baseline, irrespective of mUFC control; changes were driven by improvements in physical problem score, with smaller improvements in psychosocial score. CONCLUSIONS: Long-acting pasireotide provided significant improvements in clinical signs and HRQoL over 12 months of treatment, which, in some cases, occurred regardless of mUFC control. Long-acting pasireotide represents an effective treatment option and provides clinical benefit in patients with CD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01374906.

Morphology-Dependent Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Performance of γ-Bi2O3 Nanostructures.

Simple one-step solvothermal route was used to synthesize γ-Bi2O3 nanostructures. Well-defined nanoflowers and finite nanorods surface morphology of the samples were revealed. The physical characterization and material confirmation was explored by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, photoluminescence (PL), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The optical bandgap of about 2.71 and 2.72 eV was observed for nanoflower and nanorods, respectively. The highest specific surface area of 0.877 m²/g with mesoporous feature was reported for nanoflower sample. The improved photocurrent of 12.47 µA/cm² was observed for the nanoflower photoanode with lowest internal resistance and the highest stability over 3600 s, with 87% retention in photocurrent was estimated from chronoamperometry (CA) study. The effective methyl orange degradation of MO as 94% was investigated by nanoflower photocatalyst. The synthesis of metastable γ-Bi2O3 nanostructures with hierarchical morphology to adapt as an efficient photoanode for solar water splitting and pollutant degradation applications was reported.

Understanding Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19-Type Infections by Direct Numerical Simulations of Cough/Sneeze Flows.

The transmission dynamics of highly contagious respiratory diseases like COVID-19 (through coughing/sneezing) is an open problem in the epidemiological studies of such diseases (Bourouiba, JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.4756. 2020). The problem is basically the fluid dynamics of a transient turbulent jet/puff with buoyancy, laden with evaporating droplets carrying the pathogen. A turbulent flow of this nature does not lend itself to reliable estimates through modeling approaches such as RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations) or other droplet-based models. However, direct numerical simulations (DNS) of what may be called "cough/sneeze flows" can play an important role in understanding the spread of the contagion. The objective of this work is to develop a DNS code for studying cough/sneeze flows by a suitable combination of the DNS codes available with the authors (developed to study cumulus cloud flows including thermodynamics of phase change and the dynamics of small water droplets) and to generate useful data on these flows. Recent results from the cumulus cloud simulations are included to highlight the effect of turbulent entrainment (which is one of the key processes in determining the spread of the expiratory flows) on the distribution of liquid water content in a moist plume. Furthermore, preliminary results on the temperature distribution in a "dry cough" (i.e., without inclusion of liquid droplets) are reported to illustrate the large spatial extent and time duration over which the cough flow can persist after the coughing has stopped. We believe that simulations of this kind can help to devise more accurate guidelines for separation distances between neighbors in a group, design better masks, and minimize the spread of respiratory diseases of the COVID-19 type.

A taxonomic review of the fish parasitic isopod family Cymothoidae Leach, 1818 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothooidea) of India.

The parasitic isopod family Cymothoidae Leach, 1818 of the India exclusive economic zone is reviewed. A total of 56 nominal species corresponding to 48 valid species belonging to sixteen genera are reviewed from 73 host species belonging to 35 families. Mothocya plagulophora (Haller, 1880), Nerocila depressa Milne Edwards, 1840, Nerocila loveni Bovallius, 1887, Nerocila trichiura (Miers, 1877), Norileca triangulata (Richardson, 1910) and Ryukyua globosa Williams Bunkley-Williams, 1994 are redescribed. Indusa pustulosa Pillai, 1954 is synonymised with Agarna malayi Tiwari, 1952; Cymothoa krishnai Jayadev Babu Sanjeeva Raj, 1984 is synonymised with Cymothoa eremita (Brünnich, 1783) and Nerocila priacanthusi Kumari, Rao Shyamasundari, 1987 is synonymised with Nerocila arres Bowman Tareen, 1983. Ourozeuktes bopyroides (Lesueur, 1814) is revised and excluded from the Indian fauna. The Indian cymothoid species Agarna bengalensis Kumari, Rao Shaymasundari, 1990, Cymothoa asymmetrica Pillai, 1954 and Nerocila hemirhamphusi Shyamasundari, Rao Kumari, 1990 are regarded here as species inquirenda. A key to the Indian genera of the family Cymothoidae and keys to the Indian species of the genera Cymothoa, Joryma, Mothocya, and Nerocila are presented. A checklist of the valid Cymothoidae species until now reported from Indian marine fishes are compiled. Host preferences, morphological variability and distribution are discussed.

Recognition and management of dermatologic complications from interventional radiology procedures.

A variety of dermatologic complications can occur after interventional radiology procedures, including fluoroscopy-induced radiation dermatitis, thermal skin injury from tumor ablation, non-target embolization to the skin, allergic reactions related to interventional radiology procedures, and dermatitis and infections at catheter sites. Yet, interventional radiologists typically lack training in dermatology. This review focuses on recognition of dermatologic complications and introduces basic principles for management of these complications. By taking a more active role in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of dermatologic complications, interventional radiologists can improve the care for patients suffering iatrogenic skin inury.

Understanding droplet collisions through a model flow: Insights from a Burgers vortex.

We investigate the role of intense vortical structures, similar to those in a turbulent flow, in enhancing collisions (and coalescences) which lead to the formation of large aggregates in particle-laden flows. By using a Burgers vortex model, we show, in particular, that vortex stretching significantly enhances sharp inhomogeneities in spatial particle densities, related to the rapid ejection of particles from intense vortices. Furthermore our work shows how such spatial clustering leads to an enhancement of collision rates and extreme statistics of collisional velocities. We also study the role of polydisperse suspensions in this enhancement. Our work uncovers an important principle, which, if valid for realistic turbulent flows, may be a factor in how small nuclei water droplets in warm clouds can aggregate to sizes large enough to trigger rain.

BiVO4 Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Solar Water Splitting Applications.

We reported a simple and economical SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) assisted BiVO4 solvothermal synthesis of BiVO4 nanostructures. The implementation of pristine and SDS assisted BiVO4 nanostructure as photoanode in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting was investigated. The good crystalline nature, defects present in the material, recombination nature and vibrational properties of the synthesized BiVO4 nanostructures have been analyzed and confirmed by XRD, Raman, PL and FTIR studies. The constructed nanoflower oriented morphology combined with nanorods for SDS assisted BiVO4 have been examined by SEM studies. The optical band gap differences were observed as 2.35 and 2.31 eV for pristine and SDS assisted BiVO4 nanostructures respectively. The higher photocurrent density of 5.8 µA/cm² at 0.5 V versus RHE with lower flat band potential of -0.75 V revealed for SDS assisted BiVO4 nanostructured photoanodes. Good conductivity, higher charge separation efficiency and 52% photocurrent retention under illumination was reported over 7200 s for the same efficient photoanode. These results suggested the substantial possibility of BiVO4 nanostructures synthesized by using SDS surfactant could be utilized as efficient photoanodes for PEC water splitting applications.

Low Surface Energy and pH Effect on SnO2 Nanoparticles Formation for Supercapacitor Applications.

The SnO2 nanoparticles formation by hydrothermal method at different experimental conditions such as temperature, pH, reaction time, and capping agent (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), was studied. X-ray diffraction results confirmed regular rutile crystal structure of SnO2. The characteristic Raman peak observed at 635 cm-1 corresponded to A1g modes of Sn-O vibrations. The study of optical property using photoluminescence confirmed the emissive spectra of SnO2. The infrared peak observed at 618 cm-1 corresponded to Eu modes of Sn-O vibrations of TO phonon because of E⊥ to c-axis. Scanning electron microscope images clearly revealed the formation of complete SnO2 nanoparticles. The unique SnO2 nanoparticles stacked together to form microspheres at pH-5 showed high specific capacitance of 274.8 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The observed results confirmed the feasibility of SnO2 nanoparticles being used as appropriate positive electrode candidate for supercapacitor applications.

First record of the Gloiopotes huttoni (Thomson, 1890) (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasitic on the swordfish Xiphias gladius along the southeast coast of India.

Parasitic copepods infect a large number of fishes. In particular, the family Caligidae (Crustacea) comprises more than 450 species worldwide, some of which are harmful to cultured and wild fishes. Recently, we found a parasitic copepod on the host swordfish Xiphias gladius (Xiphidae) in the coastal waters of Parangipettai, southeast coast of India. It was identified as Gloiopotes huttoni by its morphological features, and it belongs to the family Caligidae (order Siphonostomatoida). The swordfish was highly infected with about 72 caligids on a single host. Both male and female forms of G. huttoni were colonized on the beak of the swordfish and distributed mostly along the upper and lower jaws of the host, with 42 and 30 copepod parasites, respectively. Most of the copepods were ovigerous, and more females than males were recorded. It is the first record of the occurrence of G. huttoni in India.

Identification and functional characterization of antimicrobial peptide from the marine crab Dromia dehaani.

Many naturally occurring biologically active compounds are derived from marine organisms. Brachyuran crab Dromia dehaani is also known as sponge crab. Hence, this study was undertaken to isolate and characterize the antimicrobial peptide from the marine crab hemolymph. Therefore the objectives of this research work was to high light the functions of biologically active peptide Dromidin. Dromidin was identified and confirmed as a new antimicrobial peptide in the hemolymph of the crab D. dehaani. Antimicrobial peptide was characterized and confirmed by using various analytical techniques. ESI-MS analysis of the active antimicrobial hemolymph fraction resulted in the value 513.0 Da. In addition, current findings strongly suggest that this peptide is functionally important against the pathogens.

A new species of deep-water spider crab of the genus Paramaya De Haan, 1837 from the Bay of Bengal, India (Crustacea, Brachyura, Majidae).

The identity of the majid species of Paramaya De Haan, 1837, in the Indian Ocean is clarified with the collection of fresh specimens from the Bay of Bengal. Previously identified as P. spinigera (De Haan, 1837) which is known only from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, the material from eastern India is here referred to a new species, P. mullisp. n. The new species can easily be distinguished from all congeners by its relatively shorter pseudorostral and carapace spines, more swollen branchial regions, distinctly granulated male thoracic sternum, and the G1 is not prominently curved with the dorsal projection on the sub distal part short and the tip rounded.

Redescription of Parilia alcocki Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason Alcock, 1891 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Leucosiidae) from southeast India.

Parilia alcocki Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason Alcock, 1891, the type species of Parilia Wood-Mason, in Wood-Mason Alcock, 1891, described from the Bay of Bengal, is one of the largest known leucosioid crabs, reaching carapace widths of over 50 mm. It is, however, not well known and its male gonopods have never been figured. A series of specimens of this species obtained from a fishing port in Tamil Nadu, India, allows for a comprehensive re-description and illustrations of the species. Its distinguishing characters from congeners are discussed.

Redescription of Ryukyua circularis (Pillai, 1954) (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), parasite of the Bleeker smoothbelly sardinella Amblygaster clupeoides Bleeker, 1849 from India.

Ryukyua circularis (Pillai, 1954) is recorded here for the first time on the host Amblygaster clupeoides Bleeker, 1849 from Indian waters. The species is redescribed with illustrations of the gravid female, adult male and manca from its type locality, and the known hosts and geographical records of the species are reviewed. Ryukyua circularis is readily identified from the oval to rounded body shape, widest at pereonite 3-5; cephalon deeply immersed in pereonite 1; mandible palp with the spiny surface, article 3 with a long terminal setae; pleonite 1-3 partially overlapped by a posterolateral margin of pereonite 7; pleotelson anterior lateral margins weakly convex, posterior margin evenly rounded, without median point.

First record on the occurrence of Ryukyua circularis (Pillai, 1954), a parasitic cymothoid (Crustacean: Isopoda) infesting the clupeid fish Amblygaster sirm (Walbaum) from Andaman Islands, India.

In the present study, occurrence of branchial parasitic cymothoid, Ryukyua circularis from the marine finfish, Amblygaster sirm is reported for the first time from Andaman Islands. Morphological characterization was carried out which confirmed the parasite as R. circularis. Molecular characterization using 28S rDNA revealed 443 bp sequence which has been submitted to NCBI GenBank under the accession no. KX090447. Ten female and one male parasite (R. circularis) were collected from the branchial cavity of the individual host fishes (A. sirm). The displacement of gill filament and cavity formation in the gill chamber of the host fish was observed. The report of this species from Andaman Islands gives further information on its geographic range extension, since they are currently known from West coast of India and Thailand.

Long-term treatment of Cushing's disease with pasireotide: 5-year results from an open-label extension study of a Phase III trial.

BACKGROUND: Treating hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing's disease after failed surgery often requires chronic medication, underlining the need for therapies with favourable long-term efficacy and safety profiles. METHODS: In a randomised, double-blind study, 162 adult patients with persistent/recurrent or de novo Cushing's disease received pasireotide. Patients with mean urinary free cortisol at/below the upper limit of normal or clinical benefit at month 12 could continue receiving pasireotide during an open-ended, open-label phase, the outcomes of which are described herein. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received 5 years of pasireotide treatment. Among these, median (95% confidence interval) percentage change from baseline in mean urinary free cortisol was -82.6% (-89.0, -41.9) and -81.8% (-89.8, -67.4) at months 12 and 60. Eleven patients had mean urinary free cortisol ≤ upper limit of normal at month 60. Improvements in clinical signs were sustained during long-term treatment. The safety profile of pasireotide at 5 years was similar to that reported after 12 months. Fifteen of 16 patients experienced a hyperglycaemia-related adverse event; glycated haemoglobin levels were stable between months 6 and 60. Adverse events related to hyperglycaemia, bradycardia, gallbladder/biliary tract, and liver safety were most likely to first occur by month 6; adverse event severity did not tend to worsen over time. CONCLUSIONS: This represents the longest prospective trial of a medical therapy for Cushing's disease to date. A subset of patients treated with pasireotide maintained biochemical and clinical improvements for 5 years, with no new safety signals emerging. These data support the use of pasireotide as an effective long-term therapy for some patients with Cushing's disease.

Efficacy of phenyl quinoline phenol derivatives as COX-2 inhibitors; an approach to emergent the small molecules as the anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapeutics.

2-(4-phenylquinoline-2-yl)phenol derivatives (4a-l) with COX-2 enzyme inhibition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potentials were executed and reported. From the in vitro COX-2 enzyme inhibition assay, compounds 4 h (IC50 0.026 µM) and 4j (IC50 0.102 µM) were found as most potent COX-2 inhibitors. Consequently, to get more insight into the binding mode with COX-2, compounds 4a-l were docked into the COX-2 (PDB ID: 1CX2) active site. In the Human Red Blood Cells (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay (in vitro anti-inflammatory), compounds 4f (IC50 0.064 µM) substituted with -OH (R1) and -3Cl (R2), 4 h (IC50 0.021 µM), 4i (IC50 0.484 µg/ml) and 4j (IC50 0.092 µM) with -CHO containing alkanol and ether group at R1 and -4F, -4Br and -OMe at R2 (C2) were showed most potent anti-inflammatory activity. Eventually, acute toxicity studies revealed that 2-(4-phenylquinoline-2-yl)phenol derivatives (4a-l) are safe up to a toleration dose limit of 100 µg/kg body weight. In the Backer's yeast intraperitoneal injection test, compounds 4f, 4 h and 4j produced significant (p < 0.05) antipyretic activity at 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 h, whereas test compound 4j and the reference drug indomethacin showed significant antipyretic activity throughout the observation period up to 2.5 h. Promising in vivo results obtained were correlated with the standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the compounds 4f, 4 h, 4i, 4j, and 4 l were efficiently identified as therapeutically potent/fortune moieties as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics. At the end, ulcerogenic study result ensured that the tested 2-(4-phenylquinoline-2-yl)phenol derivatives created no side-effect.

Distribution of isopod parasites in commercially important marine fishes of the Miri coast, East Malaysia.

Isopods occur very commonly as parasites in food fishes. Parasitic isopods are typically marine and usually inhabit the warmer seas. They are blood-feeding; several species settle in the buccal cavity of fish, others live in the gill chamber or on the body surface including the fins. Isopods can cause morbidity and mortality in captive fish populations. The infestation usually pressure atrophy often accompanies the presence of larger parasites. The present study was aimed at collecting information on the neglected group of isopod parasites of the marine fishes from the Miri coastal environment, East Malaysia. A very little information available regarding the distribution of isopod parasites of Malaysian coastal environment. In the present study, nine isopod parasites were  oberved from ten marine fish species. The maximum number of parasites were observed in the months of June and October, 2013. Maximum prevalence was observed in October (50 %) and the minimum was observed in June (7.14 %). The parasitic infestation may lead to an economic loss in commercial fish species.