Reliability of lip prints in personal identification: An inter-racial pilot study

CONTEXT

Forensic science is a branch of science that deals with the application of science and technology in solving a crime and this requires a multidisciplinary team effort. The word "Forensic" is derived from the Latin word, "Forensis" which means the study of public. Dental professionals should develop interests in contributing to legal issues.

AIMS

To study the lip prints among people of different races.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The present study comprised of ninety subjects of which Group A comprised of Africans, Group B comprised of Dravidian, and Group C of Mongoloid race. Each group was then further divided into 15 males and 15 females for whom the lip prints were recorded and evaluated.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

ANOVA test.

RESULTS

ANOVA statistical analysis was used to compare three races of African, Dravidian, and Mongoloid races. The observed data among male and female were found to be significant with a P = 0.000492.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed a significant difference in lip pattern among the three races. Perhaps future studies with a larger sample size and comparison between many other races may be done for better personal identification.

Superiority of Deformable Image Co-registration in the Integration of Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography to the Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Pathway for Oesophageal Carcinoma

AIMS

To investigate the use of image co-registration in incorporating diagnostic positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) directly into the radiotherapy treatment planning pathway, and to describe the pattern of local recurrence relative to the PET-avid volume.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients were retrospectively identified, six of whom had local recurrence. The accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) and rigid registration of the diagnostic PET-CT and recurrence CT, to the planning CT, were quantitatively assessed by comparing co-registration of oesophagus, trachea and aorta contours. DIR was used to examine the correlation between PET-avid volumes, dosimetry and site of recurrence.

RESULTS

Positional metrics including the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and conformity index (CI), showed DIR to be superior to rigid registration in the co-registration of diagnostic and recurrence imaging to the planning CT. For diagnostic PET-CT, DIR was superior to rigid registration in the transfer of oesophagus (DSC=0.75 versus 0.65, P<0.009 and CI=0.59 versus 0.48, P<0.003), trachea (DSC=0.88 versus 0.65, P<0.004 and CI=0.78 versus 0.51, P<0.0001) and aorta structures (DSC=0.93 versus 0.86, P<0.006 and CI=0.86 versus 0.76, P<0.006). For recurrence imaging, DIR was superior to rigid registration in the transfer of trachea (DSC=0.91 versus 0.66, P<0.03 and CI=0.83 versus 0.51, P<0.02) and oesophagus structures (DSC=0.74 versus 0.51, P<0.004 and CI=0.61 versus 0.37, P<0.006) with a non-significant trend for the aorta (DSC=0.91 versus 0.75, P<0.08 and CI=0.83 versus 0.63, P<0.06) structure. A mean inclusivity index of 0.93 (range 0.79-1) showed that the relapse volume was within the planning target volume (PTVPET-CT); all relapses occurred within the high dose region.

CONCLUSION

DIR is superior to rigid registration in the co-registration of PET-CT and recurrence CT to the planning CT, and can be considered in the direct integration of PET-CT to the treatment planning process. Local recurrences occur within the PTVPET-CT, suggesting that this is a suitable target for dose-escalation strategies.

Risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in cancer-associated incidental pulmonary embolism among treated and untreated patients: a pooled analysis of 926 patients

ESSENTIALS: We performed a pooled analysis of 926 patients with cancer-associated incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE). Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are associated with a higher risk of major hemorrhage. Recurrence risk is comparable after subsegmental and more proximally localized IPE. Our results support low molecular weight heparins over VKA and similar management of subsegmental IPE.

BACKGROUND

Incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE) is defined as pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosed on computed tomography scanning not performed for suspected PE. IPE has been estimated to occur in 3.1% of all cancer patients and is a growing challenge for clinicians and patients. Nevertheless, knowledge about the treatment and prognosis of cancer-associated IPE is scarce. We aimed to provide the best available evidence on IPE management.

METHODS

Incidence rates of symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), major hemorrhage, and mortality during 6-month follow-up were pooled using individual patient data from studies identified by a systematic literature search. Subgroup analyses based on cancer stage, thrombus localization, and management were performed.

RESULTS

In 926 cancer patients with IPE from 11 cohorts, weighted pooled 6-month risks of recurrent VTE, major hemorrhage and mortality were 5.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-8.3%), 4.7% (95% CI 3.0-6.8%), and 37% (95% CI 28-47%). VTE recurrence risk was comparable under low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (6.2% vs. 6.4%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.9; 95% CI 0.3-3.1), while 12% in untreated patients (HR 2.6; 95% CI 0.91-7.3). Risk of major hemorrhage was higher under VKAs than under LMWH (13% vs. 3.9%; HR 3.9; 95% CI 1.6-10). VTE recurrence risk was comparable in patients with an subsegmental IPE and those with a more proximally localized IPE (HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.50-2.4).

CONCLUSION

These results support the current recommendation to anticoagulate cancer-associated IPE with LMWH and argue against different management of subsegmental IPE.

Metal concentrations in the growth bands of Porites sp.: A baseline record on the history of marine pollution in the Gulf of Mannar, India

The present study was carried out on the Porites coral growth bands (1979 to 2014) to measure the metal accumulation for assessing the environmental pollution status. The concentrations of studied metals are compared with similar global studies, which indicate that the metals are probably derived from natural sources. The identical peaks of Fe and Mn are perfectly matched with Cu, Cr and Ni concentrations. However, the metal profile trend is slightly depressed from a regular trend in Zn, Cd and Pb peaks. The metal accumulation affinity of the reef skeleton is ranked in the following order Cr>Cd>Pb>Fe>Mn>Cu>Ni>Zn. The distribution of metal constituents in coral growth bands is primarily controlled by Fe and Mn in the reef skeleton. Other reef associated metals such as Pb and Cd are derived from other sources like coastal developments and anthropogenic sources.

Molecular and immunogenic characterization of BHK-21 cell line adapted CVS-11 strain of rabies virus and future prospect in vaccination strategy

Development of a cost effective quality vaccine is a key issue in rabies control programme in developing countries. With this perspective, in the present study, challenge virus standard (CVS)-11 strain of rabies virus was adapted to grow in BHK-21 cells, characterized, compared with other viruses including global vaccine strains and field isolates from Indian subcontinent and China at molecular level. This cell adapted virus was evaluated for the production of cost effective veterinary vaccine. The maximum virus titre achieved was 10(7) fluorescent focus unit (FFU)/mL at 10th passage level. There was no nucleotide difference in the nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes after adaptation in cell line. Phylogenetic analysis showed that adapted virus was grouped with global vaccine strains, closest being with other CVS strains but distinct from the Indian field isolates. Global vaccine strains including cell adapted CVS-11 virus have 83-87 % identity at nucleotide level of G gene with Indian field viruses. Growth kinetics of cell culture adapted virus showed that the optimum virus titer (around 10(7) FFU/mL) could be obtained at around 48 h post infection by co-cultivation method using 0.1 multiplicity of infection inoculums at 37 °C. These findings can be used for up scaling of vaccine production. The protective efficacy of test vaccine produced using 10(6.95) FFU/mL cell culture harvest showed 1.17 IU/mL relative potency by NIH test. Further, adapted virus was found to be suitable for use in rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) in Patients with Medically Inoperable Peripheral Early Stage Lung Cancer: Outcomes for the First UK SABR Cohort

AIMS

To report outcomes for the first UK cohort treated for early stage peripheral lung cancer using stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were included who received SABR between May 2009 and May 2012. Electronic medical records were reviewed for baseline characteristics, treatment details and outcomes. Patients were treated according to the UK SABR Consortium Guidelines. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to determine factors that influenced overall survival and local control.

RESULTS

In total, 273 patients received SABR for 288 lesions in the time period examined. The median follow-up was 19.7 months. The median overall survival for all patients was 27.3 months, with 1, 2 and 3 year overall survival of 78.0, 54.9 and 38.6%, respectively. The 1, 2 and 3 year rates of local control were 98.2, 95.7 and 95.7%, respectively. All patients completed the planned course of treatment and rates of Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3+ toxicity were low. On multivariate analysis, patients with Medical Research Council (MRC) breathlessness scores of 3-5 had worse overall survival compared with patients with scores of 1-2 (hazard ratio: 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.25-3.59) and the presence of histological diagnosis conferred improved overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.93), probably reflecting that patients who are considered well enough to undergo biopsy are generally fitter overall. No factors were identified that significantly influenced local control.

CONCLUSIONS

SABR is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with early stage peripheral lung cancer who are not suitable for surgery. No patient cohort was identified in whom SABR was considered inappropriate. This series adds to the existing positive data that support SABR for this patient group.

Acute and subchronic toxicity analysis of surface modified paclitaxel attached hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are widely used for targeted drug delivery applications. Surface modification with appropriate polymer and ligands is carried out to target the drug to the affected area. Toxicity analysis is carried out to evaluate the safety of the surface modified nanoparticles. In this study, paclitaxel attached, folic acid functionalized, polyethylene glycol modified hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles were used for targeted drug delivery system. The toxicological behavior of the system was studied in vivo in rats and mice. Acute and subchronic studies were carried out. Biochemical, hematological, and histopathological analysis was also done. There were no significant alterations in the biochemical parameters at a low dosage. There was a small change in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level at a high dosage. The results indicate a safe toxicological profile.

Phosphine resistance in India is characterised by a dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase variant that is otherwise unobserved in eukaryotes

Phosphine (PH3) fumigation is the primary method worldwide for controlling insect pests of stored commodities. Over-reliance on phosphine, however, has led to the emergence of strong resistance. Detailed genetic studies previously identified two loci, rph1 and rph2, that interact synergistically to create a strong resistance phenotype. We compared the genetics of phosphine resistance in strains of Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum from India and Australia, countries having similar pest species but widely differing in pest management practices. Sequencing analysis of the rph2 locus, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld), identified two structurally equivalent variants, Proline49>Serine (P49S) in one R. dominica strain and P45S in three strains of T. castaneum from India. These variants of the DLD protein likely affect FAD cofactor interaction with the enzyme. A survey of insects from storage facilities across southern India revealed that the P45/49S variant is distributed throughout the region at very high frequencies, in up to 94% of R. dominica and 97% of T. castaneum in the state of Tamil Nadu. The abundance of the P45/49S variant in insect populations contrasted sharply with the evolutionary record in which the variant was absent from eukaryotic DLD sequences. This suggests that the variant is unlikely to provide a strong selective advantage in the absence of phosphine fumigation.

Impact of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on the incidence of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients with human BK polyomavirus viremia

BACKGROUND

Up to 20% of renal transplant recipients (RTR) will develop human BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) viremia. BKPyV viremia is a pre-requisite of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PyVAN). Risk of BKPyV infections increases with immunosuppression. Currently, the only effective therapy against PyVAN is reductions in immunosuppression, but this may increase the risk of rejection. In vitro data have shown that pravastatin dramatically decreased caveolin-1 expression in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) and suppressed BKPyV infection in these cells. Based on these data, we postulated that statin therapy may prevent the progression of BKPyV viremia to PyVAN.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in adult RTR transplanted between July 2005 and March 2012. All patients with documented BKPyV viremia (viral load >500 copies/mL on 2 consecutive tests) were included. Group I consisted of patients taking a statin before the BKPyV viremia diagnosis (n = 32), and Group II had no statin exposure before or after the BKPyV viremia diagnosis (n = 36). The primary endpoint was the incidence of PyVAN.

RESULTS

Demographic data, transplant characteristics, and the degree of immunosuppression (i.e., induction/maintenance therapies, rejection treatment) were similar between the groups, with the exception of more diabetics in Group I. The incidence of PyVAN was comparable between the 2 groups (Group I = 28.1% vs. Group II = 41.7%; P = 0.312).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the proven in vitro effectiveness of pravastatin preventing BKPyV infection in HRPTEC, statins at doses maximized for cholesterol lowering, in RTR with BKPyV viremia, did not prevent progression to PyVAN.

Assessment of outcomes with delayed (18)F-FDG PET-CT response assessment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the accuracy of a 4-month post-(chemo)radiotherapy 18-fludeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS

105 patients who underwent a baseline and response assessment (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan between 2008 and April 2013 were identified. (18)F-FDG PET-CT outcomes were analysed with reference to clinicopathological outcomes.

RESULTS

79 of 105 (75%) (18)F-FDG PET-CT scans demonstrated a complete metabolic response; 19 of 101 (19%) for assessable primary tumours were positive; and 19 of 93 (20%) for patients with nodal disease were equivocal (n = 10) or positive (n = 9). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for primary and nodal disease were 90%, 89%, 47%, 99% and 91%, 89%, 53% and 99%, respectively. Eight of nine patients with a positive nodal response scan had clinicopathological evidence of residual nodal disease (PPV, 89%). 2 of 10 patients with equivocal nodal responses had clinicopathological evidence of residual nodal disease (PPV, 20%).

CONCLUSION

(18)F-FDG PET-CT 4 months post treatment has a very high NPV. A positive (18)F-FDG PET-CT has a high PPV for residual nodal disease. By contrast, patients who have an equivocal nodal response have a low PPV.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Response assessment (18)F-FDG PET-CT is a valuable tool in guiding the selective use of neck dissection following (chemo)radiotherapy for HNSCC. An equivocal lymph node response has a limited predictive value for persistent disease, and optimal management remains a clinical challenge.

In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of surface modified paclitaxel attached hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Targeted drug delivery using nanocrystalline materials delivers the drug at the diseased site. This increases the efficacy of the drug in killing the cancer cells. Surface modifications were done to target the drug to a particular receptor on the cell surface. This paper reports synthesis of hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles and modification of their surface with polyethylene glycol (PEG) followed by folic acid (FA). Paclitaxel, an anticancer drug, is attached to functionalized hydroxyapatite and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The pure and functionalised nanoparticles are characterised with XRD, TEM and UV spectroscopy. Anticancer analysis was carried out in DEN induced hepatocarcinoma animals. Biochemical, hematological and histopathological analysis show that the surface modified paclitaxel attached nanoparticles have an higher anticancer activity than the pure paclitaxel and surface modified nanoparticles without paclitaxel. This is due to the targeting of the drug to the folate receptor in the cancer cells.

Hydroxyapatite-alginate nanocomposite as drug delivery matrix for sustained release of ciprofloxacin

Hydroxyapatite is a bioceramic which has a wide range of medical application for bone diseases. To enhance its usage, we have prepared ciprofloxacin loaded nano hydroxyapatite (HA) composite with a natural polymer, alginate, using wet chemical method at low temperature. The prepared composites were analyzed by various physicochemical methods. The results show that the nano HA crystallites are well intact with the alginate macromolecules. For the composite system FT-IR and micro Raman results are reported in this paper. Studies on the drug loading and drug release have been done. The drug is pre-adsorbed onto the ceramic particle before the formation of composite. The thermal behavior of composite has been studied using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). This work, reports that the nanocomposite prepared under optimum condition could prolong the release of ciprofloxacin compared with the ciprofloxacin loaded hydroxyapatite.