Optimization of vertically aligned carbon nanotube beam trajectory with the help of focusing electrode in the microchannel plate

The focusing electrode plays an important role to reduce the electron beam trajectory with low dispersion and high brightness. This article summarizes the importance of the vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube effect with the focusing electrode. First of all, the effect of electron beam trajectory is studied with the different heights, hole sizes, and applied voltage of the focusing electrode by the opera 3D simulation. The field emission electron beam spot is captured in the microchannel plate which helps to reduce the signal noise effect and damage of CNT tips by the joule heating effect. The high-dense bright spot is optimized at the focusing electrode hole size of 2 mm, and the height of 1 mm from the gate mesh electrode at the low bias voltage of - 200 V without the loss of current. The FWHM of the electron beam is calculated 0.9 mm with its opening angle of 0.9° which could be applicable in high-resolution multi-electron beam microscopy and nano-focused X-ray system technology.

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.

Lipid- and TPGS-Based Core-Shell-Type Nanocapsules Endowed with High Paclitaxel Loading and Enhanced Anticancer Potential

The current study elucidates the improved drug loading of paclitaxel (PTX) in lipid- and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS)-based core-shell-type lipid nanocapsules (PTX-TPGS-LNC) for augmenting the therapeutic efficacy and curbing the toxicity. PTX-TPGS-LNCs were formulated by employing anti-solvent precipitation technique and displayed a particle size of 162.1 ± 4.70 nm and % practical drug loading of 15.04 ± 2.44%. Electron microscopy revealed that PTX-TPGS-LNCs have spherical morphology and the inner core was surrounded by a relatively lighter region, i.e., layer of lipids and TPGS. The nature of loaded PTX inside the PTX-TPGS-LNC was also confirmed using DSC and PXRD analysis. The in vitro release study showed biphasic and sustained release pattern of PTX from PTX-TPGS-LNC and it showed ~ threefold higher PTX uptake in MCF-7 cell line in comparison to free PTX. Moreover, it was apparent from the cytotoxicity assay that PTX-TPGS-LNC displayed higher cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells and revealed ~ 2.92-fold decrease in IC₅₀ value as against free PTX when incubated for 72 h. The apoptotic index in case of PTX-TPGS-LNC was ~ twofold higher than free PTX. The pharmacokinetic profile of PTX-TPGS-LNC revealed a ~ 3.18-fold increase in t_1/2 and a ~ 2.62-fold higher AUC_(0→∞) compared to Intaxel^®. Finally, treatment with PTX-TPGS-LNC demonstrated significant lowering in the % tumor burden and serum toxicity markers compared to marketed formulation Intaxel^®. Thus, the lipid- and TPGS-based core-shell-type LNC with high PTX loading can advance the existing standards of therapy for overshadowing cancer.

Genome-wide association mapping for component traits of drought and heat tolerance in wheat

Identification of marker trait association is a prerequisite for marker-assisted breeding. To find markers linked with traits under heat and drought stress in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS). GWAS mapping panel used in this study consists of advanced breeding lines from the IARI stress breeding programme produced by pairwise and complex crosses. Phenotyping was done at multi locations namely New Delhi, Karnal, Indore, Jharkhand and Pune with augmented-RCBD design under different moisture and heat stress regimes, namely timely sown irrigated (IR), timely sown restricted irrigated (RI) and late sown (LS) conditions. Yield and its component traits, viz., Days to Heading (DH), Days to Maturity (DM), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Chlorophyll Content (SPAD), Canopy temperature (CT), Plant Height (PH), Thousand grain weight (TGW), Grain weight per spike (GWPS), Plot Yield (PLTY) and Biomass (BMS) were phenotyped. Analysis of variance and descriptive statistics revealed significant differences among the studied traits. Genotyping was done using the 35k SNP Wheat Breeder's Genotyping Array. Population structure and diversity analysis using filtered 10,546 markers revealed two subpopulations with sufficient diversity. A large whole genome LD block size of 7.15 MB was obtained at half LD decay value. Genome-wide association search identified 57 unique markers associated with various traits across the locations. Twenty-three markers were identified to be stable, among them nine pleiotropic markers were also identified. In silico search of the identified markers against the IWGSC ref genome revealed the presence of a majority of the SNPs at or near the gene coding region. These SNPs can be used for marker-assisted transfer of genes/QTLs after validation to develop climate-resilient cultivars.

Cocculus hirsutus-Derived Phytopharmaceutical Drug Has Potent Anti-dengue Activity

Dengue is a serious public health concern worldwide, with ∼3 billion people at risk of contracting dengue virus (DENV) infections, with some suffering severe consequences of disease and leading to death. Currently, there is no broad use vaccine or drug available for the prevention or treatment of dengue, which leaves only anti-mosquito strategies to combat the dengue menace. The present study is an extension of our earlier study aimed at determining the in vitro and in vivo protective effects of a plant-derived phytopharmaceutical drug for the treatment of dengue. In our previous report, we had identified a methanolic extract of aerial parts of Cissampelos pareira to exhibit in vitro and in vivo anti-dengue activity against all the four DENV serotypes. The dried aerial parts of C. pareira supplied by local vendors were often found to be mixed with aerial parts of another plant of the same Menispermaceae family, Cocculus hirsutus, which shares common homology with C. pareira. In the current study, we have found C. hirsutus to have more potent anti-dengue activity as compared with C. pareira. The stem part of C. hirsutus was found to be more potent (∼25 times) than the aerial part (stem and leaf) irrespective of the extraction solvent used, viz., denatured spirit, hydro-alcohol (50:50), and aqueous. Moreover, the anti-dengue activity of stem extract in all the solvents was comparable. Hence, an aqueous extract of the stem of C. hirsutus (AQCH) was selected due to greater regulatory compliance. Five chemical markers, viz., Sinococuline, 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Makisterone-A, Magnoflorine, and Coniferyl alcohol, were identified in fingerprinting analysis. In a test of primary dengue infection in the AG129 mice model, AQCH extract at 25 mg/kg body weight exhibited protection when administered four and three times a day. The AQCH was also protective in the secondary DENV-infected AG129 mice model at 25 mg/kg/dose when administered four and three times a day. Additionally, the AQCH extract reduced serum viremia and small intestinal pathologies, viz., viral load, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and vascular leakage. Based on these findings, we have undertaken the potential preclinical development of C. hirsutus-based phytopharmaceutical, which could be studied further for its clinical development for treating dengue.

Inhibitory kinetics and mechanism of pentacyclic triterpenoid from endophytic Colletotrichum gigasporum against pancreatic lipase

The burden of obesity is increasing all over the world. Except for Orlistat, no effective anti-obesity drug is currently available. Therefore, a search for the new anti-obesity compound is need of time. This study demonstrates macromolecular interaction and inhibitory effect of pentacyclic triterpenoids (PTT) on pancreatic lipase (PL). In the present study PTTs from endophytic Colletotrichum gigasporum were found to show significant inhibitory activity against PL with IC₅₀ of 16.62 ± 1.43 μg/mL. The PTT isolated through bioassay-guided isolation showed a dose-dependent (R² = 0.915) inhibition against porcine PL and the results were comparable with the standard (Orlistat). Based on inhibition kinetic data, the gradual increase in K_{m (app)} with increasing PTT concentration indicated that the mode of interaction of PTT with PL was a competitive type, and it directly competed with the substrate (pNPB) for the active site of PL. In vivo studies in Wistar rats at the oral dose (100 mg/kg body weight) of PTT significantly decreased (p < 0.05) incremental plasma triglyceride levels as compared to group B and TG absorption was down-regulated up to 49.18% vis a vis group D animals. The isolated PTT was identified as lupeol based on chromatographic and spectral data. The endophytic isolate was identified as Colletotrichum gigasporum based on morphology and ITS gene sequencing. The present study indicated that PTT had the potential to be used as a natural PL inhibitor in the treatment of obesity and the isolated endophyte can be a valuable bioresource for it.

A Current Review on Analytical Tools for Determination of New Oral Antidiabetic Drugs, Empagliflozin, Linagliptin and Biguanides in Bulk Materials, Pharmaceuticals & Biological Samples

Worldwide the R & D divisions of Pharma industry are actively involved in the development of new therapeutic agents. These agents may be either new entities or partial structural modification of the existing one. The recent FDA statistics represent that the average number of drug filings are increasing every year in the thrust areas like anti-cancer agents, anti-diabetic, antibiotics, cardio-vascular drugs, respiratory drugs etc. Sodium glucose co-transporter-2(SGLT-2) inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and biguanides are effective oral anti-diabetic agents used in treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Therefore, the necessity to explore and compare the existing analytical and bioanalytical assays used for determination of such drugs either single or in combination is crucial. Many methods were reported in the literature for the bio-analysis and analysis of four novel gliptins combinations, empagliflozin-linagliptin, empagliflozin-metformin HCl, linagliptin-metformin HCl, empagliflozin-linagliptin-metformin HCl combination with application on Glyxambi®, Synjardy®, Jentadueto®, Trijardy® XR tablets respectively. Furthermore, this review offered an overview of different methods used for determination of every drug alone as empagliflozin from SGLT-2 inhibitors, linagliptin from DPP-4 inhibitors and metformin from biguanides in a tabulated comparative way. Moreover, the current review emphasizes the most common stability indicating assays to be of interest to the analysts in the area of drug control. This review helps in understanding the further need for the development of analytical methods for the estimation of such drugs.

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.

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.

Squamous papilloma of the renal pelvis mimicking transitional cell carcinoma

Squamous papilloma of the renal pelvis is an extremely rare entity. To the best of our knowledge, no case has been reported till date. A 45-year-old female presented to us with flank pain for two months. She had undergone left-sided percutaneous nephrolithotomy three years ago. Preoperative evaluation suggested the presence of a transitional cell tumor arising from the left renal pelvis. Diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid renogram showed a non-functional left kidney. She underwent left nephroureterectomy. Histopathology showed squamous papilloma of the renal pelvis. Subsequent follow-ups have been uneventful.

An Approach Toward Automatic Classification of Tumor Histopathology of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on Radiomic Features

Non–small cell lung cancer contributes toward 85% of all lung cancer burden. Tumor histology (squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma and “not otherwise specified”) has prognostic significance, and it is therefore imperative to identify tumor histology for personalized medicine; however, biopsies are not always possible and carry significant risk of complications. Here, we have used Radiomics, which provides an exhaustive number of informative features, to aid in diagnosis and therapeutic outcome of tumor characteristics in a noninvasive manner. This study evaluated radiomic features of non–small cell lung cancer to identify tumor histopathology. We included 317 subjects and classified the underlying tumor histopathology into its 4 main subtypes. The performance of the current approach was determined to be 20% more accurate than that of an approach considering only the volumetric- and shape-based features.

Annexin A5 levels or circulating microparticles: what we see depends mainly on what we look for

Click here to view the article Letter to the Editor by C. Reutelingsperger et al.

Cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and exercise in preventing injurious falls among older home-dwelling women: findings from an RCT

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and exercise, separately and combined, in preventing medically attended injurious falls among older home-dwelling Finnish women. Given a willingness to pay of €3,000 per injurious fall prevented, the exercise intervention had an 86 % probability of being cost-effective in this population.

INTRODUCTION

The costs of falling in older persons are high, both to the individual and to society. Both vitamin D and exercise have been suggested to reduce the risk of falls. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation and exercise, separately and combined, in preventing medically attended injurious falls among older Finnish women.

METHODS

Economic evaluation was based on the results of a previously published 2-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) where 409 community-dwelling women aged 70 to 80 years were recruited into four groups: (1) no exercise + placebo (D-Ex-), (2) no exercise + vitamin D 800 IU/day (D+Ex-), (3) exercise + placebo (D-Ex+), and (4) exercise + vitamin D 800 IU/day (D+Ex+). The outcomes were medically attended injurious falls and fall-related health care utilization costs over the intervention period, the latter evaluated from a societal perspective based on 2011 unit costs. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated for the number of injurious falls per person-year prevented and uncertainty estimated using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Incidence rate ratios (95 % CI) for medically attended injurious falls were lower in both Ex+ groups compared with D-Ex-: 0.46 (0.22 to 0.95) for D-Ex+, 0.38 (0.17 to 0.81) for D+Ex+. Step-wise calculation of ICERs resulted in exclusion of D+Ex- as more expensive and less effective. Recalculated ICERs were €221 for D-Ex-, €708 for D-Ex+, and €3,820 for D+Ex+; bootstrapping indicated 93 % probability that each injurious fall avoided by D-Ex+ per person year costs €708. At a willingness to pay €3,000 per injurious fall prevented, there was an 85.6 % chance of the exercise intervention being cost-effective in this population.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise was effective in reducing fall-related injuries among community-dwelling older women at a moderate cost. Vitamin D supplementation had marginal additional benefit. The results provide a firm basis for initiating feasible and cost-effective exercise interventions in this population.

Dental notation for primary teeth: a review and suggestion of a novel system

BACKGROUND

Tooth designation systems are routinely used in dental practice, for identification of teeth, recording dental data and communication among dental professionals. There are various dental notations systems for the primary and permanent dentition. The most popular are the Zsigmondy-Palmer system, the Universal Numbering System, and the FDI system. Others includes the Victor Haderup system, the Woelfel system, and the MICAP system. The majority of dental notations are focused on permanent teeth and are modified for primary teeth, even though the latter erupt before the permanent dentition.

CONCLUSION

Advantages and disadvantages of notations for primary dentition are discussed and compared to a new alphanumeric system for primary teeth which is considered simple and convenient.

Nano and Microparticulate Chitosan Based System for Formulation of Carvedilol Rapid Melt Tablet

PURPOSE

In the present study rapid melt tablets (RMT's) of carvedilol were prepared by using ionotropic-gelated chitosan nanoparticles using a spray-drying method. Carvedilol is beta-adrenergic antagonist and its oral bioavailability is about 25-35% because of first pass metabolism.

METHODS

The spray-dried microparticles were formulated into RMT's using a wet granulation process. The Formulation and optimization of carvedilol loaded RMTs using nano and microparticulate chitosan based system (NMCS) was done by using 32 factorial designs.

RESULTS

Drug entrapment efficiency of about 64.9 % (w/w) and loading capacity of 14.44% (w/w) were achieved for the microparticles, which were ranged from 1 μm to 4 μm in diameter. RESULTS of disintegration tests showed that the formulated RMTs could be completely dissolved within 40 seconds. Dissolution studies suggested that Carvedilol is released more slowly from tablets made using the microencapsulation process compared with tablets containing Carvedilol that is free or in the form of nanoparticles.

CONCLUSION

RESULTS shown that the development of new RMTs designed with crosslinked microparticle might be a rational way to overcome the unwanted taste of conventional RMTs and the side effects related to Carvedilol intrinsic characteristics. The development of Carvedilol NMCS using ludiflash as RMTs could be used as a promising approach for improving the solubility and oral bioavailability of water insoluble drug.

Development of a monoclonal antibody-based flow-through immunoassay (FTA) for detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

A flow-through immunoassay (FTA), an improved version of immunodot, was developed using a nitrocellulose membrane baked onto adsorbent pads enclosed in a plastic cassette to detect white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. Sharp purple dots developed with WSSV against the white background of the nitrocellulose membrane. The detection limits of WSSV by the FTA and immunodot were 0.312 and 1.2 μg mL(-1) crude WSSV protein, respectively. The FTA could be completed in 8-10 min compared with 90 min for immunodot. The FTA was 100 times more sensitive than 1-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in between that of the 1- and 2-step PCR protocol recommended by the Office of International Epizootics (OIE). In experimental, orally infected shrimp post-larvae, WSSV was first detected 14, 16 and 18 h post-infection (hpi) by FTA, immunodot and one-step PCR, respectively. The FTA detected WSSV 2 and 4 h earlier than immunodot and one-step PCR, respectively. The FTA was more sensitive (25/27) than one-step PCR (23/27) and immunodot (23/27) for the detection of WSSV from white spot disease outbreak ponds. The reagent components of the FTA were stable giving expected results for 6 m at 4-8 °C. The FTA is available as a rapid test kit called 'RapiDot' for the early detection of WSSV under field conditions.