Extra-mandibular Osteoradionecrosis after the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.

AIMS: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a serious toxicity of head and neck radiotherapy. It predominantly affects the mandible. Extra-mandibular ORN is rare. The aim of this study was to report the incidence and outcomes of extra-mandibular ORNs from a large institutional database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 2303 head and neck cancer patients were treated with radical or adjuvant radiotherapy. Of these, extra-mandibular ORN developed in 13 patients (0.5%). RESULTS: Maxillary ORNs (n = 8) were a consequence of the treatment of various primaries (oropharynx = 3, sinonasal = 2, maxilla = 2, parotid = 1). The median interval from the end of radiotherapy to the development of ORN was 7.5 months (range 3-42 months). The median radiotherapy dose in the centre of the ORN was 48.5 Gy (range 22-66.5 Gy). Four patients (50%) healed in 7, 14, 20 and 41 months. All temporal bone ORNs (n = 5) developed after treatment to the parotid gland (of a total of 115 patients who received radiotherapy for parotid gland malignancy). The median interval from the end of radiotherapy to the development of ORN was 41 months (range 20-68 months). The median total dose in the centre of the ORN was 63.5 Gy (range 60.2-65.3 Gy). ORN healed in only one patient after 32 months of treatment with repeated debridement and topical betamethasone cream. CONCLUSION: Extra-mandibular ORN is a rare late toxicity and this current study provides useful information on its incidence and outcome. The risk of temporal bone ORN should be considered in the treatment of parotid malignancies and patients should be counselled. More research is required to determine the optimal management of extra-mandibular ORN, particularly on the role of the PENTOCLO regimen.

Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands: A Systematic Review.

A systematic review was carried out to evaluate if adjuvant radiotherapy for acinic cell carcinomas (ACCs) of salivary glands improves survival. Twelve retrospective studies published between 2000 and 2020 that analysed the effect of radiotherapy on salivary gland neoplasms and ACCs of salivary glands and met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. The overall quality of the studies was moderate to low. There was no high-quality evidence for improved survival with radiotherapy for ACCs of the salivary gland. Some evidence suggests that there may be an advantage for patients with high-grade tumours, but these data should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of patients and low-quality evidence. Good quality of evidence is lacking. Recommendation for adjuvant radiotherapy for tumours with poor prognostic factors will require discussion and shared decision-making with the patients.

Outcome of Concurrent Septorhinoplasty and Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in Patients with Sinusitis and Nasal Deformity: A Retrospective Study and Review of Literature.

Patients with deformed external noses and deviated nasal septum also have lateral wall deformities compromising the osteomeatal complex leading on to sinusitis. These patients will need septorhinoplasty along with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to facilitate proper drainage of sinuses. The two main risks of combined procedure are firstly the risk of infection if done in infected sinusitis and secondly, the fear of collapse of nasal bone and the frontal process of the maxilla if medial and lateral osteotomies are done after extensive ethmoidectomy for extensive sinus disease. Our objective was to study the outcomes of combined septorhinoplasty with functional endoscopic sinus surgery in patients having sinusitis along with nasal deformity. In this retrospective study we describe the outcomes of patients who have undergone combined FESS + Rhinoplasty. We controlled the sinus infection and avoided extensive polyposis for combined procedure. We found that nasal block, facial pain, anosmia, rhinorrhea improved in all the patients There was a complete resolution of symptoms in the group. Thus, in combined surgery, we could simultaneously get a good functional airway, solve the sinus complaints and improve the nasal aesthetics satisfactorily. The patients were subjected to SNOT scale in 2023 and average score of SNOT score was found as 11 at an average postop followup period of 14 Years post op. We found that combined Rhinoplasty and Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for patients having nasal deformity with chronic Rhinosinusitis can be performed safely and effectively. Simultaneously harvested septal cartilage could be used judiciously for meticulous reconstruction. It, avoided the extra cost and patient's time of two staged partial surgery.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Emilia sonchifolia plant for treatment of bloodstream diseases caused by Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVES: Among infectious diseases, bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, the bacteria have produced resistance to many of these antibiotics. Thus, the present study aimed to develop silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loaded with Emilia sonchifolia (ES) extract (ES-AgNPs) to treat BSI efficiently. METHODS: AgNPs were synthesized by reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution by ES extract. Furthermore, these ES-AgNPs were characterized for particle size and zeta potential, crystallinity by powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) technique, in vitro antibacterial activity, time-kill assay, film bio adhesion, and fluorescence assay. RESULTS: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has been used to confirm the formation of AgNPs by seeing a shift in colour to dark-brown. The ES-AgNPs displayed a mean particle size of 137±3nm (PDI of 0.168±0.02) and zeta potential of 18.2±0.8mV. Furthermore, according to P-XRD results, the developed AgNPs are highly crystalline. The ES-AgNPs showed effective antibacterial action against E. coli with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 0.4±0.02µg/mL and 0.8±0.03µg/mL, respectively. In addition, ES-AgNPs inhibited biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion in a dose-dependent manner with 100% inhibition obtained in 48h at MBC. CONCLUSIONS: Present research work revealed that the ES-AgNPs obtained by green synthesis holds a prominent antibacterial activity in the treatment of BSIs caused by E. coli and they may be used as a competent substitute for current treatments. However, further, in vivo antibacterial studies are required to establish its efficacy in the treatment of BSIs.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Adaptive Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer and its Impact on Clinical Outcome.

AIMS: We implemented magnetic resonance imaging-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for the management of cervical cancer at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in January 2015. The Royal College of Radiologists recommended IGABT as the new standard of care for the management of cervical cancer in the UK in 2009, following earlier publication of recommendations of Groupe European de Curietherapie of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology for three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging-based IGABT. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the introduction of IGABT in the management of cervical cancer at our institute indeed improved the treatment outcomes with a better toxicity profile as compared with conventional brachytherapy (CBT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 213 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB-IVA cervical cancer treated with curative radiotherapy ± chemotherapy at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care was carried out for the period January 2010 to December 2019. Patients were categorised into three groups based on their brachytherapy planning process. Fifty-eight patients were treated with CBT, 35 patients were treated with retrospective brachytherapy (RBT) planning and 120 patients were treated with IGABT. Eighty-six per cent received concomitant chemotherapy with cisplatin. Outcome measures were local control rates, overall and progression-free survival, and impact on treatment-related toxicities. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 36, 32 and 25 months for CBT, RBT and IGABT, respectively. Three-year local control achieved was 70.4, 77.8 and 86.9%, respectively. Three-year overall survival was 53.8, 61.1 and 86.2%, respectively. Grade 2 or 3 bladder and bowel toxicity was 8% and 10% in IGABT group versus 20% and 27% in the CBT group. CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicated that IGABT proved to be very effective in not only improving locoregional control, but also offered quality survivorship to these women, with a significant drop in radiation-related bladder and bowel toxicities.

DEVELOPMENT OF NACL-BASED OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENT PHOSPHORS FOR THE POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS IN DOSIMETRY.

New highly sensitive optically stimulated luminescent phosphors with NaCl moiety and dopants Ca,Cu,P/Mg,Cu,P are developed. These phosphors show very high optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensitivity. The dose response for NaCl:Ca,Cu,P is linear up to 1.2 Gy and for NaCl:Mg,Cu,P is slightly sub linear from 0.2 Gy. These phosphors show 30% fading during first 4 and later signal gets stabilised with no further signal loss. These sensitive phosphors will find applications in radiation dosimetry using OSL.

Epitope mapping of the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) VP28 monoclonal antibody through combined in silico and in vitro analysis reveals the potential antibody binding site.

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) infecting shrimp is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. The WSSV is a member of the genus Whispovirus. The envelope protein VP28 is the most investigated protein of WSSV. In the present study, the epitope mapping of the monoclonal antibody (MAb) C-33 was carried out. Based on the epitope mapping results, an antigen-antibody interaction model was derived. Peptide scanning and confirmation of epitopes of MAb C-33 were carried out using the sequence data. The MAb was reactive to the epitope of both recombinant VP28 and the whole virus. The results of the study indicated the presence of an epitope region. The epitope region is found positioned within two peptides, covering 13 amino acids. Framework and CDR (complementarity determining regions) of heavy and light chain (VH & VL) sequences showed identity to germline immunoglobulin sequences. The Web Antibody Modelling (WAM) selected for further evaluation based on a comparative analysis of WAM and Rosetta server-generated models of the Fv region. The docking study using WAM generated model revealed that the residues from LEU98 to GLY105 are active in antibody binding. The findings of this study could form a structural basis for further research in VP28 based diagnostics and therapeutics or vaccine discovery.

Concurrent Helminthosis Engendered Gastroenteritis in a Leopard Panthera Pardus.

The necropsy of a leopard (Panthera pardus), succumbed to a chronic ailment exhibited a mixed parasitic gastroenteritis. Gross internal examination of carcass revealed the presence of round and tapeworms in the stomach and intestines with diffuse catarrhal and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The detailed examination of the intestinal content revealed the presence of Toxocara canis and Spirometra species eggs. Also, the gross morphological investigation of round and tapeworms approved the presence of both species. Histo-pathological examination showed sloughing of intestinal epithelium, hemorrhages, and ulcerative areas with the infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells admixed with mononuclear cells. Lungs revealed the accumulation of eosinophilic edematous fl uid in the alveolar spaces along with inflammatory cells. These parasites are pathogenic to precious wild felids and often pose a threat of zoonotic transmission due to spill-over infections. The present case study is an attempt to put on record a case of parasitic gastroenteritis in a captive leopard.

An Efficient and Chemistry Independent Analysis to Quantify Resistive and Capacitive Loss Contributions to Battery Degradation.

Degradation mechanisms leading to deterioration in the battery performance is an inevitable phenomenon. Although there are detailed physics and equivalent circuit based models to predict the losses incurred due to degradation in estimating the health of the battery, they are either incomplete, computationally expensive or both. In this study, we present a very simple and elegant, chemistry independent mathematical analysis, which accurately calculates resistive and capacitive components of cycle-life related losses in a battery system. We demonstrate that discharge profiles obtained at any given degradation state of the battery can be represented by an analytical function, with its origin lying at the heart of battery dynamics, using simple parameter fitting. The model parameters relate to the battery electrochemical potential, resistance and capacity. We first validate our protocol using simulated cycling data from a degrading lithium-ion battery system modeled with detailed electrochemical thermal calculations and show that the estimates of capacity and power fades are >99% accurate using our method. Further, we construct a unique phase space plot of normalized energy, power that gives a compact representation of quantitative and qualitative trend of the degradation state of the system, as well as available power and energy.

Remusatia vivipara lectin and Sclerotium rolfsii lectin interfere with the development and gall formation activity of Meloidogyne incognita in transgenic tomato.

Root knot nematodes are serious threats to growth and yield of solaneous crops including tomato. In this study, a binary vector carrying Remusatia vivipara (rvl1) and Sclerotium rolfsii (srl1) lectin genes were introduced independently into Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Pusa Ruby via Agrobacterium tumefaciens for resistance against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. In total, one hundred and one rvl1 and srl1-transformed plants exhibiting kanamycin resistance were confirmed to carry transgenes as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 4.59% transformation efficiency. Genetic analysis of T1 progeny confirmed Mendelian segregation of the introduced genes. Three events each of rvl1 and srl1 transgenic tomato were randomly selected for further confirmation by Southern and TAIL-PCR analyses. All three events of srl1 transgenics showed single copy transgene, whereas two rvl1 transgenic events showed single copy of transgene, while remaining event showed two copies of transgenes. Site of integration obtained for rvl1 and srl1 transgenic events by TAIL-PCR revealed that all the three events of rvl1 and srl1 transgenics differed for their site of integration and insertion sites did not contain any predicted gene. Moreover, expression of the rvl1 and srl1 transgenes was detected by haemagglutination assay in all three events of rvl1 and srl1, but not in non-transgenic tomato plant. Homozygous progenies of these events were grown and inoculated with M. incognita. Development and reproduction of M. incognita was severely affected in transgenic tomato plants expressing RVL1 and SRL1 exhibiting the high levels of resistance compared to non-transgenic plants. Therefore, these transgenic lines demonstrate a promising potential for variety development of tomato lines with enhanced resistance against M. incognita.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and incident falls in older women.

Three hundred eighty-seven home-dwelling older women were divided into quartiles based on mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) levels. The rates of falls and fallers were about 40% lower in the highest S-25(OH)D quartile compared to the lowest despite no differences in physical functioning, suggesting that S-25(OH)D levels may modulate individual fall risk. INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D supplementation of 800 IU did not reduce falls in our previous 2-year vitamin D and exercise RCT in 70-80 year old women. Given large individual variation in individual responses, we assessed here effects of S-25(OH)D levels on fall incidence. METHODS: Irrespective of original group allocation, data from 387 women were explored in quartiles by mean S-25(OH)D levels over 6-24 months; means (SD) were 59.3 (7.2), 74.5 (3.3), 85.7 (3.5), and 105.3 (10.9) nmol/L. Falls were recorded monthly with diaries. Physical functioning and bone density were assessed annually. Negative binomial regression was used to assess incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for falls and Cox-regression to assess hazard ratios (HR) for fallers. Generalized linear models were used to test between-quartile differences in physical functioning and bone density with the lowest quartile as reference. RESULTS: There were 37% fewer falls in the highest quartile, while the two middle quartiles did not differ from reference. The respective IRRs (95% CI) for falls were 0.63 (0.44 to 0.90), 0.78 (0.55 to 1.10), and 0.87 (0.62 to 1.22), indicating lower falls incidence with increasing mean S-25(OH)D levels. There were 42% fewer fallers (HR 0.58; 040 to 0.83) in the highest quartile compared to reference. Physical functioning did not differ between quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Falls and faller rates were about 40% lower in the highest S-25(OH)D quartile despite similar physical functioning in all quartiles. Prevalent S-25(OH)D levels may influence individual fall risk. Individual responses to vitamin D treatment should be considered in falls prevention.

PHASE DEPENDENT OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENCE IN CU-DOPED Sr4Si3O8Cl4.

Phase dependent optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) is studied in Cu-doped Sr4Si3O8Cl4. The Study shows that samples in which amount of contributing strontium metasilicate phase in Cu-doped Sr4Si3O8Cl4 is less, show intense OSL while those samples in which strontium metasilicate phase is more show weak OSL. The observed Cu luminescence is also found to be phase dependent. Sample in which Sr4Si3O8Cl4 phase is dominant, the observed Cu luminescence is around 350 nm whereas an additional longer wavelength band around 450 nm is observed when the strontium metasilicate phase is present in significant amount. The relatively phase pure, Cu-doped Sr4Si3O8Cl4 shows good OSL properties. The sensitivity of such material is 3.89 times more compared to commercial Al2O3:C (Landauer Inc.). High sensitivity, good linearity and reusability, along with low fading make this material as good OSL phosphor and may find applications in OSL based radiation dosimetry.

Nutrient analysis of Kunapa jala and Pancha gavya and their evaluation on germination of Ashwagandha and Kalamegha seeds: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Vrikshayurveda, an ancient science of plant life described by Surapala, deals with healthy growth and productivity of plants, which has clearly outlined a systematized agricultural practice that insisted the use of Kunapa jala (KJ) and Pancha gavya (PG). OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to validate KJ and PG by nutrient analysis and their effect on the germination parameters of Ashwagandha and Kalamegha seeds in comparison with other treatment groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: KJ and PG were prepared according to the classical references. The nutrient contents and germination parameters of KJ and PG were compared with other groups namely control (Contr), farmyard manure (FYM), humic acid (HA) and NPK. RESULTS: The pH and EC were 5.793, 2.653 dS/m and 5.584, 2.216 dS/m for KJ and PG respectively. KJ possess highest nutrient contents followed by PG. The germination parameters revealed the better activity of NPK followed by KJ, PG, HA, FYM and Contr. CONCLUSION: KJ and PG were found to be good in nutrient contents and were found to be effective on studied germination parameters of Ashwagandha and Kalamegha seeds.

PHOTOLUMINESCENCE, THERMOLUMINESCENCE AND OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENCE STUDIES IN ZINC-BASED FLUOROPERVOSKITES.

The optically stimulated luminescence, thermoluminescence and photoluminescence in various Cu and Ag doped zinc based fluoropervoskites are studied. In all the samples, photoluminescence of Cu+ and Ag+ is observed which could be attributed to 3d94 s1←→3d10 and 4d95 s1←→5d10 transitions, respectively. The observed emission is double humped and the main emission band shifts to the lower wavelength side with increasing ionic size of the alkali ion. All the studied fluoropervoskites show reasonable OSL sensitivity. Highest sensitivity is observed for Cu doped ZnNaF3 and is 25% compared to commercial Al2O3:C. Weak thermoluminescence is observed in all samples. In all Ag doped samples the TL peak is observed at 200°C whereas for Cu doped samples peak is observed at 150°C, and correlated with the OSL. The samples show good linear dose response in the 10 mGy-1.2 Gy range and show good reusability characteristics. This study will lead to the development of zinc-based fluoropervoskite phosphors for the radiation dosimetry using OSL.

Evaluation of Kunapa jala and Pancha gavya on plant quality, physiology, biochemistry, yield and growth attributes - A case study of Withania somnifera Dun.

BACKGROUND: 'Vrikshayurveda', an ancient science of plant life described by Surapala, has clearly outlined a systematized agricultural practice that insisted on the use of Kunapa jala (KJ) and Pancha gavya (PG) to enhance the yield and quality of plants. OBJECTIVE: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of KJ and PG on growth, physiological, biochemical, quality attributes and yield of Withania somnifera Dun. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of KJ and PG was evaluated in comparison with control, organic (farmyard manure and humic acid) and inorganic (NPK) fertilizer at 60, 90, 120 and 150 days after sowing (DAS). The study was conducted in randomized complete block design method. RESULTS: KJ group were higher in, total leaf area (1707.89 cm2) at 120 DAS, leaf area index (3.795) at 120 DAS, crop growth rate (0.256 g m-2 day-1) at 60-90 DAS, leaf area duration (101.909) at 120-150 DAS, relative growth rate (0.0170 g g-1 day-1) at 60-90 DAS, net assimilation rate (0.0537 g m-2 day-1) at 60-90 DAS. Leaf area ratio was higher in PG group (37.937 m2 g-1) at 60 DAS. The higher levels of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids were in KJ group (1.877, 0.745 and 1318.14 mg g-1 respectively) at 90 DAS. Yield and quality attributes at harvest (150 DAS) indicated, higher dry root yield (5.93 quintal hectare-1), root length (15.66 cm) were higher in KJ group and root diameter was higher in PG group (1.36 cm). CONCLUSION: Vrikshayurveda practices viz. Kunapa jala and Pancha gavya were effective on studied parameters of W. somnifera. Economical and eco-friendly Vrikhayurveda practices can be initiated for sustainable agriculture.

Optically stimulated luminescence study in rare earth doped SrBPO5.

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) was studied in rare earth doped SrBPO5 for the possible applications in radiation dosimetry using optically stimulated luminescence. The study shows that the sensitivity of the Eu doped SrBPO5 shows good OSL and the sensitivity is comparable to that of Al2O3:C. It is observed that annealing has a profound effect on the OSL sensitivity. Slowly cooled Eu doped sample shows highest sensitivity and is 77% compared to that Al2O3:C whereas lowest sensitivity is observed in the quenched sample. Other properties like good linearity and low fading will make this phosphor suitable for the applications in radiation dosimetry using OSL.

Hydroxyurea-Lactose Interaction Study: In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation.

The Maillard reaction between hydroxyurea (a primary amine-containing drug) and lactose (used as an excipient) was explored. The adduct of these compounds was synthesized by heating hydroxyurea with lactose monohydrate at 60 °C in borate buffer (pH 9.2) for 12 h. Synthesis of the adduct was confirmed using UV-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, high-pressure liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry studies. An in silico investigation of how the adduct formation affected the interactions of hydroxyurea with its biological target oxyhemoglobin, to which it binds to generate nitric oxide and regulates fetal hemoglobin synthesis, was carried out. The in silico evaluations were complemented by an in vitro assay of the anti-sickling activity. Co-incubation of hydroxyurea with deoxygenated blood samples reduced the percentage of sickled cells from 38% to 12 ± 1.6%, whereas the percentage of sickled cells in samples treated with the adduct was 17 ± 1.2%. This indicated loss of anti-sickling activity in the case of the adduct. This study confirmed that hydroxyurea can participate in a Maillard reaction if lactose is used as a diluent. Although an extended study at environmentally feasible temperatures was not carried out in the present investigation, the partial loss of the anti-sickling activity of hydroxyurea was investigated along with the in silico drug-target interactions. The results indicated that the use of lactose in hydroxyurea formulations needs urgent reconsideration and that lactose must be replaced by other diluents that do not form Maillard adducts.

Metal Quinolates as Phosphors for PC-LED Applications.

Metal quinolates, Liq Alq3 Znq2 Mgq2 exhibit efficient luminescence in blue green region and find applications as emission layer in OLEDs. In most of these quinolates the excitation spectra are broad in the range 350 to 410 nm, just short of emission spectra of efficient GaN based blue LEDs. In this paper we report metal quinolates synthesized by slightly modified method in which the excitation gets extended beyond 450 nm so that there is better overlap between emission spectra of blue LED and the excitation spectra. Therefore these phosphors may be used for PC-LED applications.