Nucleotide composition and codon usage bias of SRY gene

The SRY gene is present within the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome which is responsible for maleness in mammals. The nonuniform usage of synonymous codons in the mRNA transcript for encoding a particular amino acid is the codon usage bias (CUB). Analysis of codon usage pattern is important to understand the genetic and molecular organisation of a gene. It also helps in heterologous gene expression, design of primer and synthetic gene. However, the analysis of codon usage bias of SRY gene was not yet studied. We have used bioinformatic tools to analyse codon usage bias of SRY gene across mammals. Codon bias index (CBI) indicated that the overall extent of codon usage bias was weak. The relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis suggested that most frequently used codons had an A or C at the third codon position. Compositional constraint played an important role in codon usage pattern as evident from correspondence analysis (CA). Significant correlation among nucleotides constraints indicated that both mutation pressure and natural selection affect the codon usage pattern. Neutrality plot suggested that natural selection might play a major role, while mutation pressure might play a minor role in codon usage pattern in SRY gene in different species of mammals.

Tolerance of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients who are unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin

OBJECTIVE

There are little data regarding safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients who are considered unfit for receiving 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. The aim of this study was to study the toxicity and response rates of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as NACT in such cohort of patients.

METHODS

Study population included advanced ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin and hence received weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) and carboplatin AUC-2 as NACT. The data regarding the baseline characteristics, chemotherapy tolerance, completion rates, toxicity (CTCAE version 4.02), and radiological response rates are presented. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics is presented.

RESULT

Eleven patients received this schedule. Nine patients completed nine cycles of NACT. Except one, all patients completed NACT with an average relative dose intensity of >0.8. There was no chemotherapy-related mortality. Grade 3-4 life-threatening complications were seen in two patients. The post NACT response rate was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is safe and efficacious in patients who are unsuitable for 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy schedules.

An audit of cytoreductive surgeries in ovarian cancer from a rural based cancer center

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancers are frequently seen at an advanced stage in our center. This audit was planned to see the morbidity and efficacy of different types of cytoreductive surgeries (radical vs. ultra-radical) done in such patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of all ovarian cancer patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery at our center from January 2009 to August 2013. The case records of these patients were reviewed and the demographic, disease-related and treatment-related data were extracted.

RESULTS

Fifty-fivepatients were identified. Ten (18.2%) patients underwent primary cytoreduction while 45 patients had (81.8%) interval cytoreduction. The resections achieved were optimal in 50 patients (90.9%) and suboptimal in five patients (9.1%). The postoperative median blood loss was 400 (350-600) mL. The median time interval for surgery was 4.0 h (3-5 h). The type of resection achieved (optimal vs. suboptimal) was the only factor affecting the progression free survival (PFS) (Hazard ratio = 0.08 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.3). There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing the ultra-radical surgery as compared to those who underwent radical surgery.

CONCLUSION

Optimal cytoreduction may improve PFS in advanced ovarian cancer patients and needs to be done even if it mandates an ultra-radical surgery.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure preferences and expectations of patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy: EXPECT questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to design and validate the questionnaire for capturing palliative chemotherapy-related preferences and expectations.

DESIGN

Single arm, unicentric, prospective observational study.

METHODS

EXPECT questionnaire was designed to capture preferences and expectations of patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy. This questionnaire underwent a linguistic validation and then was tested in patients. Ten patients are undergoing chemotherapy for solid tumors who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria self-administered the EXPECT questionnaire in regional language. After filling this questionnaire, they self-administered quick questionnaire-10 (QQ-10). SPSS version 16 (IBM New York) was used for analysis. Completion rate of EXPECT questionnaire was calculated. The feasibility, face validity, utility and time taken for completion of EXPECT questionnaire was also assessed.

RESULTS

The completion rate of this questionnaire was 100%. All patients completed questionnaire within 5 min. The QQ-10 tool confirmed the feasibility, face validity and utility of the questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

EXPECT questionnaire was validated in the regional language, and it's an effective tool for capturing patient's preferences and expectation from chemotherapy.

Infections: A Possible Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is one of the biggest challenges to human health globally, with an estimated 95% of the global diabetic population having type 2 diabetes. Classical causes for type 2 diabetes, such as genetics and obesity, do not account for the high incidence of the disease. Recent data suggest that infections may precipitate insulin resistance via multiple mechanisms, such as the proinflammatory cytokine response, the acute-phase response, and the alteration of the nutrient status. Even pathogen products, such as lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycans, can be diabetogenic. Therefore, we argue that infections that are known to contribute to insulin resistance should be considered as risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation of Risk Factors for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux among Sikkimese Population

Background Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a global health problem and is associated with a huge economic burden and decreased quality of life. Studies describing the epidemiology of laryngopharyngeal reflux are sparse in India and south east Asia. This study becomes significant as it is being conducted in Sikkimese population who resides in high altitude have a different lifestyle. Objective To evaluate the risk factors for laryngopharyngeal reflux among Sikkimese origin. Method Patients of Sikkimese origin visiting Ear Nose Throat outpatient department Were administered with validated questionnaire. The patients were further subjected to validate Reflux symptom Index score. Indirect laryngoscopy was performed to calculate reflux finding score. Presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux was identified with patients having reflux symptom index and reflux finding score of greater or equal to 13 or more and 7 or more. Result Out of 200 subjects analysed, there were 77(38.5%) male and 123(61.5%) female. Heartburn and regurgitation were the most common symptom among the masses. Hoarseness and frequent throat clearance were the commonest laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms. Various risk factors were computed as mentioned in the results column. Conclusion Study on the above mentioned population differed from rest of the country in terms of dietary habits. Fermented food was found to be one of the important risk factor for the development of laryngopharyngeal reflux in the sikkimise population.

Patterns of care in geriatric cancer patients - An audit from a rural based hospital cancer registry in Kerala

BACKGROUND

There is deficit of data from India on elderly patients with cancer. Comprehensive geriatric assessment may lead to a better decision making capacity in this population. However, routine implementation of such assessment is resource consuming.

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of care in elderly patients treated at a tertiary rural cancer center in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with age 70 or above with solid tumors without any definitive treatment prior to the registration at our center and registered between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2011 were selected for this study. The baseline demographic pattern and the pattern of care of treatment were analyzed. SPSS version 16 (IBM Inc, Armonk, New York, U.S.) was used for analysis. Descriptive data are provided.

RESULTS

A total of 761 patients were evaluable subject to the aforementioned inclusion criteria. The median age of this cohort was 75 years (70-95 years). The most frequent primary sites of malignancies in 451 males were head neck (32.4%), lung (23.3%) and gastrointestinal (23.3%). In 310 females, the most common sites were head neck (31.6%), gynecological (18.4%) and gastrointestinal (24.5%). 228 (30%) of the patients had localized disease, 376 (49.4%) had loco-regionally advanced disease and 145 (19.1%) had distant metastases at presentation. 334 (46.32%) of patients were treated with curative intent. On logistic regression analysis the factors that predicted use of curative intent treatment were age <75 years, performance status 0-1, primary site and clinical extent of disease.

CONCLUSION

Routine comprehensive geriatric assessment needs to be implemented in our setting as almost 50% of our geriatric patients undergo curative intent treatment.

Oscillation quenching in third order phase locked loop coupled by mean field diffusive coupling

We explored analytically the oscillation quenching phenomena (amplitude death and parameter dependent inhomogeneous steady state) in a coupled third order phase locked loop (PLL) both in periodic and chaotic mode. The phase locked loops were coupled through mean field diffusive coupling. The lower and upper limits of the quenched state were identified in the parameter space of the coupled PLL using the Routh-Hurwitz technique. We further observed that the ability of convergence to the quenched state of coupled PLLs depends on the design parameters. For identical systems, both the systems converge to the homogeneous steady state, whereas for non-identical parameter values they converge to an inhomogeneous steady state. It was also observed that for identical systems, the quenched state is wider than the non-identical case. When the system parameters are so chosen that each isolated loop is chaotic in nature, we observe narrowing down of the quenched state. All these phenomena were also demonstrated through numerical simulations.

Protein arginylation regulates cellular stress response by stabilizing HSP70 and HSP40 transcripts

ATE1-mediated post-translational addition of arginine to a protein has been shown to regulate activity, interaction, and stability of the protein substrates. Arginylation has been linked to many different stress conditions, namely ER stress, cytosolic misfolded protein stress, and nitrosative stress. However, clear understanding about the effect of arginylation in cellular stress responses is yet to emerge. In this study, we investigated the role of arginylation in heat-stress response. Our findings suggest that Ate1 knock out (KO) cells are more susceptible to heat stress compared with its wild-type counterparts due to the induction of apoptosis in KO cells. Gene expression analysis of inducible heat-shock proteins (HSP70.1, HSP70.3, and HSP40) showed induction of these genes in KO cells early in the heat shock, but were drastically diminished at the later period of heat shock. Further analysis revealed that loss of ATE1 drastically reduced the stability of all three HSP mRNAs. These phenotypes were greatly restored by overexpression of Ate1 in KO cells. Our findings show that arginylation plays a protective role during heat stress by regulating HSP gene expression and mRNA stability.

Designer interface peptide grafts target estrogen receptor alpha dimerization

The nuclear transcription factor estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), triggered by its cognate ligand estrogen, regulates a variety of cellular signaling events. ERα is expressed in 70% of breast cancers and is a widely validated target for anti-breast cancer drug discovery. Administration of anti-estrogen to block estrogen receptor activation is still a viable anti-breast cancer treatment option but anti-estrogen resistance has been a significant bottle-neck. Dimerization of estrogen receptor is required for ER activation. Blocking ERα dimerization is therefore a complementary and alternative strategy to combat anti-estrogen resistance. Dimer interface peptide "I-box" derived from ER residues 503-518 specifically blocks ER dimerization. Recently using a comprehensive molecular simulation we studied the interaction dynamics of ERα LBDs in a homo-dimer. Based on this study, we identified three interface recognition peptide motifs LDKITDT (ERα residues 479-485), LQQQHQRLAQ (residues 497-506), and LSHIRHMSNK (residues 511-520) and reported the suitability of using LQQQHQRLAQ (ER 497-506) as a template to design inhibitors of ERα dimerization. Stability and self-aggregation of peptide based therapeutics poses a significant bottle-neck to proceed further. In this study utilizing peptide grafted to preserve their pharmacophoric recognition motif and assessed their stability and potential to block ERα mediated activity in silico and in vitro. The Grafted peptides blocked ERα mediated cell proliferation and viability of breast cancer cells but did not alter their apoptotic fate. We believe the structural clues identified in this study can be used to identify novel peptidometics and small molecules that specifically target ER dimer interface generating a new breed of anti-cancer agents.

Correlation of Tumor Immunohistochemistry with Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced and DSC-MRI Parameters in Patients with Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Tumor CBV is a prognostic and predictive marker for patients with gliomas. Tumor CBV can be measured noninvasively with different MR imaging techniques; however, it is not clear which of these techniques most closely reflects histologically-measured tumor CBV. Our aim was to investigate the correlations between dynamic contrast-enhanced and DSC-MR imaging parameters and immunohistochemistry in patients with gliomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-three patients with a new diagnosis of glioma underwent a preoperative MR imaging examination with dynamic contrast-enhanced and DSC sequences. Unnormalized and normalized cerebral blood volume was obtained from DSC MR imaging. Two sets of plasma volume and volume transfer constant maps were obtained from dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Plasma volume obtained from the phase-derived vascular input function and bookend T1 mapping (Vp_Φ) and volume transfer constant obtained from phase-derived vascular input function and bookend T1 mapping (K^trans_Φ) were determined. Plasma volume obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (Vp_SI) and volume transfer constant obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (K^trans_SI) were acquired, without T1 mapping. Using CD34 staining, we measured microvessel density and microvessel area within 3 representative areas of the resected tumor specimen. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test for differences according to grade and degree of enhancement. The Spearman correlation was performed to determine the relationship between dynamic contrast-enhanced and DSC parameters and histopathologic measurements.

RESULTS

Microvessel area, microvessel density, dynamic contrast-enhanced, and DSC-MR imaging parameters varied according to the grade and degree of enhancement (P < .05). A strong correlation was found between microvessel area and Vp_Φ and between microvessel area and unnormalized blood volume (r_s ≥ 0.61). A moderate correlation was found between microvessel area and normalized blood volume, microvessel area and Vp_SI, microvessel area and K^trans_Φ, microvessel area and K^trans_SI, microvessel density and Vp_Φ, microvessel density and unnormalized blood volume, and microvessel density and normalized blood volume (0.44 ≤ r_s ≤ 0.57). A weaker correlation was found between microvessel density and K^trans_Φ and between microvessel density and K^trans_SI (r_s ≤ 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

With dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, use of a phase-derived vascular input function and bookend T1 mapping improves the correlation between immunohistochemistry and plasma volume, but not between immunohistochemistry and the volume transfer constant. With DSC-MR imaging, normalization of tumor CBV could decrease the correlation with microvessel area.

Tolerance of weekly metronomic paclitaxel and carboplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients who are unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin

OBJECTIVE

There are little data regarding safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients who are considered unfit for receiving 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity and response rates of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as NACT in such cohort of patients.

METHODS

Study population included advanced ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin and hence received weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin AUC-2 as NACT. The data regarding the baseline characteristics, chemotherapy tolerance, completion rates, toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.02), and radiological response rates are presented. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics is presented.

RESULTS

Eleven patients received this schedule. Nine patients completed nine cycles of NACT. Except one, all patients completed NACT with an average relative dose intensity of >0.8. There was no chemotherapy-related mortality. Grade 3-4 life-threatening complications were seen in two patients. The post NACT response rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is safe and efficacious in patients who are unsuitable for 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy schedules.

Does the use of induction chemotherapy in oral cavity cancer compromise subsequent loco-regional treatment delivery: Results from a matched pair analysis

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being increasingly used in patients with unresectable oral cavity cancers to make them resectable. However, its impact on locoregional treatment delivery in such setting remains poorly studied.

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on delivery of further locoregional treatment.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Mono institutional retrospective audit of patients with oral cavity squamous cell cancers treated with neoadjuvant triplet chemotherapy in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 14) from May 2012 to April 2014 were matched 1:2 to patients undergoing upfront surgery (n = 28) based on age (>60 or 60 and less), gender (male or female) and subsite site (tongue and floor of mouth or buccoalveolar complex). Data regarding factors related to the delivery of locoregional treatment and toxicities were compiled.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Descriptive analysis in the form of median (range) for continuous variables and frequencies for categorical variables.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy required more extensive resections and had greater operative time (460 vs. 415 min, P < 0.001). A greater incidence of locoregional wound complications was seen as a consequence (57.1% vs. 14.3%, P, 0.01). However, toxicities during radiotherapy were not substantially different between the two groups and compliance to radiation was also similar. Total package time of 100 days or less, was maintained in 90% of patients in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not impair the ability to deliver locoregional treatment.

Validation of Leiden Score in Predicting Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Undifferentiated Arthritis in Indian Population

Background:

Leiden Score, is a very useful tool for predicting future development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), among undifferentiated arthritis (UA) patients. This score has been validated in various western studies but rarely among south east Asian patients.

Aims:

To validate the Leiden early arthritis prediction rule in an Indian cohort of patients for predicting rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in undifferentiated arthritis (UA) patients and to formulate any simpler version of prediction score taking only clinical variables of original Leiden prediction rule.

Subjects and Methods:

In a group comparative longitudinal study model, 58 patients with early symmetrical polyarthritis were enrolled and baseline evaluation was done according to Leiden prediction rule and then 3 monthly. After 1 year, Leiden prediction score and chance of evolving into RA were calculated. Patients were divided into two groups: Those who developed RA and who did not. They were selected on random sampling process. Tender joint count (TJC), duration of morning stiffness, and duration of arthritis were selected as clinical variables for linear discriminant analysis with disease outcome being the dependent variable. Discriminant scores (D) for each patient was calculated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed with the discriminant score and compared with Leiden prediction score.

Results:

About 54% (27/50) of patients were diagnosed with RA and 46% (23/50) developed other rheumatologic condition or viral inflammatory arthritis or remained undifferentiated or attained complete remission. None of the patients with UA, who scored the regression coefficients 4 or less progressed to RA, and those who scored 7 or more, almost certainly progressed to RA. Unstandardized canonical discriminant coefficients for TJC (T), duration of morning stiffness (M), and duration of arthritis (A) were calculated. ROC curve was plotted with the formula: D = 0.164 × T + 0.066 × M + 0.012 × A − 2.838. Area under curve (AUC) at 95% confidence interval for our discriminant function was 0.845 (standard error [SE] 0.054). In comparison, AUC of Leiden prediction score was 0.897 (SE 0.043).

Conclusions:

Leiden prediction rule is highly applicable to UA patients to predict progression of RA in Indian patients and larger multi-center study with larger cohorts is needed to validate the formulation we derived to predict RA.

Eggshell: A green adsorbent for heavy metal removal in an MBR system

Presence of heavy metals as well as different metal ions in treated wastewater is a problem for the environment as well as human health. This paper aims to investigate the possibility to combine an MBR (membrane biological reactor) with an adsorption process onto powdered eggshell and eggshell membrane in order to improve metal removal from wastewater. The first step of the experimental analysis consists of the evaluation of the compatibility between the two processes. Then, a study about sorbent concentration and size effect on fouling was conducted, because the use of this kind of sorbent could affect membrane performance. The second step of the work concerns the check up of eggshell removal capacity as a function of sorbent size, achieved treating an aqueous solution containing Al(3+), Fe(2+) and Zn(2+) as water pollutants. Finally, synthetic wastewater, containing the metal species, was treated by two alternative process schemes: one of them performs the metal uptake in a dedicated adsorption unit, before the MBR. In the second, the two processes take place in the same unit. Results demonstrate that the optimization of the first option could be a solution to MBR upgrading.

Treatment of laundry wastewater using polyethersulfone/polyvinylpyrollidone ultrafiltration membranes

In this study, laundry wastewater filtration was studied using hydrophilic polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) modified polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes. The performances of PES/PVP membranes were assessed using commercial PES membrane with 10kDa in ultrafiltration. Operating parameters The influence of transmembrane pressure (TMP) and stirring speed on laundry wastewater flux was investigated. A higher permeate flux of 55.2L/m(2)h was obtained for modified PES membrane with high concentration of PVP at TMP of 500kPa and 750rpm of stirring speed. The separation efficiencies of membranes were also studied with respect to chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity and conductivity. Results showed that PES membrane with 10% of PVP had higher permeate flux, flux recovery and less fouling when compared with other membranes. Higher COD and TDS rejection of 88% and 82% were also observed for modified membranes due to the improved surface property of membranes. This indicated that modified PES membranes are suitable for the treatment of surfactant, detergent and oil from laundry wastewater.

Nanofiltration based water reclamation from tannery effluent following coagulation pretreatment

Coagulation-nanofiltration based integrated treatment scheme was employed in the present study to maximize the removal of toxic Cr(VI) species from tannery effluents. The coagulation pretreatment step using aluminium sulphate hexadecahydrate (alum) was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). A nanofiltration unit was integrated with this coagulation pre-treatment unit and the resulting flux decline and permeate quality were investigated. Herein, the coagulation was conducted under response surface-optimized operating conditions. The hybrid process demonstrated high chromium(VI) removal efficiency over 98%. Besides, fouling of two of the tested nanofiltration membranes (NF1 and NF3) was relatively mitigated after feed pretreatment. Nanofiltration permeation fluxes as high as 80-100L/m(2)h were thereby obtained. The resulting permeate stream quality post nanofiltration (NF3) was found to be suitable for effective reuse in tanneries, keeping the Cr(VI) concentration (0.13mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (65mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (142mg/L), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (108mg/L), Total Solids (TS) (86mg/L) and conductivity levels (14mho/cm) in perspective. The process water reclaiming ability of nanofiltration was thereby substantiated and the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid system was thus affirmed.

Enzymatic transesterification of waste vegetable oil to produce biodiesel

An experimental study on enzymatic transesterification was performed to produce biodiesel from waste vegetable oils. Lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia was covalently immobilized on a epoxy-acrylic resin support. The immobilized enzyme exhibited high catalytic specific surface and allowed an easy recovery, regeneration and reutilisation of biocatalyst. Waste vegetable oils - such as frying oils, considered not competitive with food applications and wastes to be treated - were used as a source of glycerides. Ethanol was used as a short chain alcohol and was added in three steps with the aim to reduce its inhibitory effect on lipase activity. The effect of biocatalyst/substrate feed mass ratios and the waste oil quality have been investigated in order to estimate the process performances. Biocatalyst recovery and reuse have been also studied with the aim to verify the stability of the biocatalyst for its application in industrial scale.

Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of DSC- and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in the Preoperative Grading of Astrocytomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters can be biased by poor measurement of the vascular input function. We have compared the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging by using a phase-derived vascular input function and "bookend" T1 measurements with DSC MR imaging for preoperative grading of astrocytomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 48 patients with a new pathologic diagnosis of an astrocytoma. Preoperative MR imaging was performed at 3T, which included 2 injections of 5-mL gadobutrol for dynamic contrast-enhanced and DSC MR imaging. During dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, both magnitude and phase images were acquired to estimate plasma volume obtained from phase-derived vascular input function (Vp_Φ) and volume transfer constant obtained from phase-derived vascular input function (K(trans)_Φ) as well as plasma volume obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (Vp_SI) and volume transfer constant obtained from magnitude-derived vascular input function (K(trans)_SI). From DSC MR imaging, corrected relative CBV was computed. Four ROIs were placed over the solid part of the tumor, and the highest value among the ROIs was recorded. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to test for difference between grades. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

Vp_ Φ and K(trans)_Φ values were lower for grade II compared with grade III astrocytomas (P < .05). Vp_SI and K(trans)_SI were not significantly different between grade II and grade III astrocytomas (P = .08-0.15). Relative CBV and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters except for K(trans)_SI were lower for grade III compared with grade IV (P ≤ .05). In differentiating low- and high-grade astrocytomas, we found no statistically significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between relative CBV and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

In the preoperative grading of astrocytomas, the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters is similar to that of relative CBV.

Response surface-optimized removal of Reactive Red 120 dye from its aqueous solutions using polyethyleneimine enhanced ultrafiltration

Retention of toxic dyes with molecular weights lower than the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the ultrafiltration membranes can be improved through selective binding of the target dyes to a water-soluble polymer, followed by ultrafiltration of the macromolecular complexes formed. This method, often referred to as polymer enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF), was investigated in the present study, using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the chelating agent. Model azo dye Reactive Red 120 was selected as the poorly biodegradable, target contaminant, because of its frequent recalcitrant presence in colored effluents, and its eventual ecotoxicological impacts on the environment. The effects of the governing process factors, namely, cross flow rate, transmembrane pressure polymer to dye ratio and pH, on target dye rejection efficiency were meticulously examined. Additionally, each parameter level was statistically optimized using central composite design (CCD) from the response surface methodology (RSM) toolkit, with an objective to maximize performance efficiency. The results revealed high dye retention efficiency over 99%, accompanied with reasonable permeate flux over 100L/m(2)h under optimal process conditions. The estimated results were elucidated graphically through response surface (RS) plots and validated experimentally. The analyses clearly established PEUF as a novel, reasonably efficient and economical route for recalcitrant dye treatment.

Bladder-Rectum Spacer Balloon versus Vaginal Gauze Packing in High Dose Rate Brachytherapy in Cervical Cancer: A Randomised Study. Part II

AIMS

To compare the inter-fraction dose variation for bladder and rectum using a bladder-rectum spacer balloon (BRSB) versus vaginal gauze packing (VGP) in patients treated with high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for carcinoma cervix.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After the completion of external radiotherapy, 80 patients were randomised to receive intracavitary brachytherapy using either the BRSB or VGP. The procedure was carried out under general anaesthesia using tandem ovoid applicators. Computed tomography-based planning was carried out and the dose was prescribed to point A. Doses to 0.1, 1 and 2 cm(3) volumes were reported for bladder and rectum for each fraction. The absolute inter-fraction dose variation for each subvolume was compared using the independent sample t-test.

RESULT

The mean bladder and rectal volumes, as well as the inter-fraction volume variation, were comparable for the BRSB and VGP. The BRSB resulted in a significant reduction in absolute dose as well as the inter-fraction variation for dose to 2 cm(3) rectum volumes (BRSB 0.80 Gy, standard deviation 0.71 Gy versus VGP 1.16 Gy, standard deviation 0.83 Gy; P = 0.04). Cumulative bladder D2cm(3) doses of more than 90 Gy3 were observed in six patients in the BRSB arm versus four patients in the VGP arm (P = 0.73). In both the arms, the rectal D2cm(3) doses did not exceed 75 Gy3.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of a BRSB resulted in a significant reduction in inter-fraction variation in D2cm(3) rectal dose. However, no significant difference in the inter-fraction dose variation for the other subvolumes of bladder and rectum could be shown between the BRSB and VGP. The use of a BRSB may enable rectal dose reduction and inter-fraction variation where anaesthesia is not routinely used or where there is limited physician expertise. The modification suggested in the BRSB may facilitate its additional usage.

Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Index in the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Uses

The present investigation is aimed at understanding the hydrogeochemical parameters and development of a water quality index (WQI) to assess groundwater quality of a rural tract in the northwest of Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. Groundwater occurs at shallow depths with the maximum flow moving southeast during pre-monsoon season and south in post-monsoon period. The physicochemical analysis of groundwater samples shows the major ions in the order of HCO3>Ca>Na>Mg>Cl>SO4 and HCO3>Ca>Mg>Na>Cl>SO4 in pre- and post-monsoon periods, respectively. The groundwater quality is safe for drinking, barring the elevated iron content in certain areas. Based on WQI values, groundwater falls into one of three categories: excellent water, good water, and poor water. The high value of WQI is because of elevated concentration of iron and chloride. The majority of the area is occupied by good water in pre-monsoon and poor water in post-monsoon period.

Ross River Virus (RRV) infection in horses and humans: a review

A fascinating and important arbovirus is Ross River Virus (RRV) which is endemic and epizootic in nature in certain parts of the world. RRV is a member of the genus Alphavirus within the Semliki Forest complex of the family Togaviridae, which also includes the Getah virus. The virus is responsible for causing disease both in humans as well as horses. Mosquito species (Aedes camptorhynchus and Aedes vigilax; Culex annulirostris) are the most important vector for this virus. In places of low temperature as well as low rainfall or where there is lack of habitat of mosquito there is also limitation in the transmission of the virus. Such probability is higher especially in temperate regions bordering endemic regions having sub-tropical climate. There is involvement of articular as well as non-articular cells in the replication of RRV. Levels of pro-inflammatory factors viz., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); interferon-gamma (IFN-γ); and macrophage chemo-attractant protein-1 (MAC-1) during disease pathogenesis have been found to be reduced. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most advanced molecular diagnostic tool along with epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting RRV infection. Treatment for RRV infection is only supportive. Vaccination is not a fruitful approach. Precise data collection will help the researchers to understand the RRV disease dynamics and thereby designing effective prevention and control strategy. Advances in diagnosis, vaccine development and emerging/novel therapeutic regimens need to be explored to their full potential to tackle RRV infection and the disease it causes.

Electronic grade and flexible semiconductor film employing oriented attachment of colloidal ligand-free PbS and PbSe nanocrystals at room temperature

Electronic grade semiconductor films have been obtained via the sintering of solution processed PbS and PbSe nanocrystals at room temperature. Prior attempts to achieve similar films required the sintering of nanocrystals at higher temperatures (>350 °C), which inhibits the processing of such films on a flexible polymer substrate, and it is also expensive. We reduced the sintering temperature by employing two important strategies: (i) use of ligand-free nanocrystals and (ii) oriented attachment of nanocrystals. Colloidal ligand-free PbS and PbSe nanocrystals were synthesized at 70 °C with high yield (∼70%). However, these nanocrystals start to agglomerate with time in formamide, and upon the removal of the solvation energy, nanocrystals undergo oriented attachment, forming larger elongated crystals. PbS and PbSe nanocrystal films made on both glass and flexible substrates at room temperature exhibit Ohmic behavior with optimum DC conductivities of 0.03 S m(-1) and 0.08 S m(-1), respectively. Mild annealing of the films at 150 °C increases the conductivity values to 1.1 S m(-1) and 137 S m(-1) for PbS and PbSe nanocrystal films, respectively. AC impedance was measured to distinguish the contributions from grain and grain boundaries to the charge transport mechanism. Charge transport properties remain similar after the repeated bending of the film on a flexible polymer substrate. Reasonably high thermoelectric Seebeck coefficients of 600 μV K(-1) and 335 μV K(-1) for PbS and PbSe nanocrystal pellets, respectively, were obtained at room temperature.