Amido-modified polylactide for potential tissue engineering applications

Poly(ester amide) copolymers based on L-lactide (2) and a new depsipeptide (1) were prepared by ring opening polymerization in the presence of Sn(Oct)2 as the catalyst. Variable monomer feed ratios up to 2.3 mol% 1 afforded copolymers containing ester and amido functional groups in the backbone. Lower glass transition temperatures and reduced crystallization kinetics and crystallinity compared to homo-polylactide (PLA) was achieved with low levels of amido incorporation. A reactivity comparison between enchainment of 2 and 1 was determined using in situ infrared spectroscopy. An increase in shear viscosity was observed with the increase of 1 content as determined by rheology studies. Cellular compatibility of the co-polymers was investigated by seeding D1 mouse stem cells onto films and characterizing cell morphology by optical microscopy. Preliminary results indicate that these novel materials exhibit reduced cell attachment compared to PLA and, pending further exploration, may have potential use in biomedical applications.

Adsorptive removal of aniline by granular activated carbon from aqueous solutions with catechol and resorcinol

In the present paper, the removal of aniline by adsorption process onto granular activated carbon (GAC) is reported from aqueous solutions containing catechol and resorcinol separately. The Taguchi experimental design was applied to study the effect of such parameters as the initial component concentrations (C(0,i)) of two solutes (aniline and catechol or aniline and resorcinol) in the solution, temperature (T), adsorbent dosage (m) and contact time (t). The L27 orthogonal array consisting of five parameters each with three levels was used to determine the total amount of solutes adsorbed on GAC (q(tot), mmol/g) and the signal-to-noise ratio. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the optimum conditions. Under these conditions, the ANOVA shows that m is the most important parameter in the adsorption process. The most favourable levels of process parameters were T = 303 K, m = 10 g/l and t = 660 min for both the systems, qtot values in the confirmation experiments carried out at optimum conditions were 0.73 and 0.95 mmol/g for aniline-catechol and aniline-resorcinol systems, respectively.

Identification of brain regions responsible for Alzheimer's disease using a Self-adaptive Resource Allocation Network

In this paper, we present a novel approach for the identification of brain regions responsible for Alzheimer's disease using the Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. The approach incorporates the recently developed Self-adaptive Resource Allocation Network (SRAN) for Alzheimer's disease classification using voxel-based morphometric features of MR images. SRAN classifier uses a sequential learning algorithm, employing self-adaptive thresholds to select the appropriate training samples and discard redundant samples to prevent over-training. These selected training samples are then used to evolve the network architecture efficiently. Since, the number of features extracted from the MR images is large, a feature selection scheme (to reduce the number of features needed) using an Integer-Coded Genetic Algorithm (ICGA) in conjunction with the SRAN classifier (referred to here as the ICGA-SRAN classifier) have been developed. In this study, different healthy/Alzheimer's disease patient's MR images from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies data set have been used for the performance evaluation of the proposed ICGA-SRAN classifier. We have also compared the results of the ICGA-SRAN classifier with the well-known Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) classifiers. The study results clearly show that the ICGA-SRAN classifier produces a better generalization performance with a smaller number of features, lower misclassification rate and a compact network. The ICGA-SRAN selected features clearly indicate that the variations in the gray matter volume in the parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala brain regions may be good indicators of the onset of Alzheimer's disease in normal persons.

Computer-Aided Fetal Cardiac Scanning using 2D Ultrasound

Fetal heart biometry is an indicator for providing information about the presence of heart chambers, their growth, and well being. As a clinical routine, ultrasonic scanning based fetal biometry is performed during the second trimester by skilled specialists. Such procedures are often considered tedious and time consuming. Detection of congenital heart abnormalities, such as septal defects, affects the proper functioning of the heart during the growth of the fetus, and such defects can be identified if the fetal heart structure and its features like size, shape, and symmetry are monitored. Recently, attempts have been made to provide computer-aided automated procedure where the performance depends on the efficacy of the developed algorithms. This work focuses on computer aided automated fetal cardiac scanning using 2-D ultrasonic imaging from fetal heart biometry. The process involves extracting frames from the cine-loop sequences followed by removal of noise using morphological filters. The chamber region is recognized by introducing automated region of interest (ROI). Experimental simulation study demonstrates the efficiency of algorithm in detecting the shape of each chamber. The identified chamber shape will further facilitate in automated measurement of fetal heart chamber and thus reduces the qualitative visualization errors.

Do laparoscopic colectomy techniques compromise oncologic principles?

BACKGROUND

Benefits of laparoscopic techniques over traditional open techniques in colon surgery are well recognized. Although both hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) can beeffective in the treatment of colon cancer, the superiority of either technique has yet to be determined for oncologic procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A five-year retrospective study comparing outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted colectomies for cancer was conducted at our community-based teaching hospital. Demographic data, tumor location and stage of the disease were analyzed. Outcomes compared between the two procedures included number of lymph nodes retrieved, presence of positive margins, operative time, length of stay, and number of early postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Fifty patients underwent HALC, while 23 underwent LAC during the study period. Demographic data were similar between the two groups. Operative time was longer for LAC, compared with HALC (178 vs. 125 min., p < 0.05), however, the average number of lymph nodes retrieved was significantly higher in LAC compared with HALC (14 vs. 10, p < 0.05). No significant differences were recorded for positive margins, postoperative complications, or the length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

While HALC was more prevalent at our institution and proved to be associated with decreased operative times, the number of lymph nodes retrieved was sub-optimal and compared less favorably with LAC. Above all, oncologic principles should be respected and achieved regardless of the operative technique used.

Risk assessment of insecticides used in rice on miridbug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter, the important predator of brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.)

The green miridbug, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, an important natural enemy of the rice brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens plays a major role as a predator in suppressing the pest population. The study assessed the impact of certain potential insecticides used in the rice ecosystem on the miridbug predator and brown planthopper through contact toxicity. Eleven insecticides, including neonicotinoids, diamides, azomethine pyridines, carbamates, pyrethroids, organophosphates and cyclodienes were selected to test their toxicities against the nymphs of C. lividipennis and N. lugens. Median lethal concentration (LC(50)) was determined for each insecticide using an insecticide-coated vial (scintillation) residue bioassay, which revealed BPMC as the highly toxic chemical with an LC(50) of 0.003mga.iL(-1) followed by ethofenprox and clothianidin with LC(50) of 0.006mga.iL(-1) at 48 HAT against C. lividipennis and ethofenprox as the highly toxic chemical with an LC(50) of 0.009mga.iL(-1) followed by clothianidin with an LC(50) of 0.211mga.iL(-1) at 48h after treatment (HAT) against N. lugens. Among the insecticides tested, the cyclodiene compound, endosulfan had the lowest acute contact toxicity (LC(50)=66.65mga.iL(-1) at 48 HAT) to C. lividipennis. Among the insecticides tested, endosulfan, chlorpyriphos, acephate and methyl parathion are regarded as safer to C. lividipennis based on selectivity ratio, hazard quotient and probit substitution method of risk assessments.

Improved infrared thermography based image construction for biomedical applications using Markov Chain Monte Carlo method

Breast thermography is one of the scanning techniques used for breast cancer detection. Looking at breast thermal image it is difficult to interpret parameters or tumor such as depth, size and location which are useful for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. In our previous work (ITBIC) we proposed a framework for estimation of tumor size using clever algorithms and the radiative heat transfer model. In this paper, we expand it to incorporate the more realistic Pennes bio-heat transfer model and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, and analyze it's performance in terms of computational speed, accuracy, robustness against noisy inputs, ability to make use of prior information and ability to estimate multiple parameters simultaneously. We discuss the influence of various parameters used in its implementation. We apply this method on clinical data and extract reliable results for the first time using breast thermography.

Premixed insulin aspart 30 (Biasp 30) vs. premixed human insulin 30 (BHI 30) in gestational diabetes mellitus--a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to compare premixed insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) vs premixed human insulin 30 (BHI 30) on efficacy, safety, fetal and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies associated with gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. This was the first randomized study to use pre mixed insulin analogue [BIAsp] in GDM.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 76 GDM women assigned to BIAsp 30 (group A) and an equal number to BHI 30 (group B).

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference between the age, BMI, gestational weeks and glycemic level at entry between the group A and group B women (p > 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in glycemic control or insulin dose (p > 0.05) before confinement. The frequency of birth weight of new born above 90 percentile was 6.8% in Group 1 and 9.2% in Group 2. The proportion of macrosomia was higher in Group 2 when compared to Group 1, however the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.819).

CONCLUSION

BIAsp was safe during pregnancy and pregnant women found it convenient due to meal time dosing. Fetal outcome using BIAsp was also comparable with BHI 30.

1,3,6-Trimethyl-pyrano[4,3-b]pyrrol-4(1H)-one

All the non-H atoms of the title compound, C(10)H(11)NO(2), are almost coplanar [maximum deviation = 0.040 (3) Å]. The crystal structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Critical analysis of engineering aspects of shaken flask bioreactors

Shaking bioreactors are the most frequently used reaction vessels in biotechnology. Since their inception, shaking bioreactors have been playing a significant role in medicine, agriculture, food, environmental, and industrial research. In spite of their huge practical importance, very little is known about the characteristic properties of shaken cultures from an engineering point of view. In this paper, a critical analysis is presented of the mixing characteristics, aeration, mass and heat transfer, power consumption, and suitability for on-line monitoring and control of various environmental and other operating parameters in aerated and anaerobic/anoxic conditions. Aspects of cell damage due to shear stress generated in shaken flask and loss of sterility due to contamination are also discussed.

A randomized double-blind controlled trial to compare a triclosan-containing emollient with vehicle for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

The use of topical antiseptics in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has previously been explored. However, no triclosan-containing leave-on emollient has been evaluated previously, to our knowledge. The aims of this study were to assess the safety and efficacy of an emollient containing triclosan compared with the emollient alone (vehicle) for the treatment of AD. Eligible patients with mild to moderate AD were randomized to receive either the study cream or vehicle. All patients also received a low-potency corticosteroid cream to use during the treatment phase of the study if necessary. Patients were assessed for severity according to the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index, amount of corticosteroid used, patient assessment of cream, and adverse events (AEs). In total, 60 patients received either the study cream or vehicle, and an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. At day 14, there was a significant decrease in SCORAD from baseline for the study cream compared with vehicle (P < 0.05). At day 27, although there was an improved mean reduction from baseline, this was no longer significant (P > 0.05). Only four patients had mild treatment-related AEs. The mean total amount of topical steroid applied by the patients using the study was significantly lower than that used by controls (P = 0.40). Triclosan-containing leave-on emollient was safe and highly acceptable to patients. However, the overall benefit on day 27 was not significant. Nevertheless, the amount of topical steroid used by patients was significantly less with the study cream than with the vehicle, thus further studies are needed to confirm its steroid-sparing effect.

Effect of industrial effluent on the morphological parameters and chlorophyll content of green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb)

A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of biomass power plant effluent on seed germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of green gram (variety LGG 460) have been estimated at different effluent concentrations and time intervals. The effluent is alkaline in nature (pH 8.5), odorless, and comprises of heavy metals such as Cr (0.071 mg l(-1)), Cu (0.014 mg l(-1)), Mn (0.036mg l(-1)), Fe (0.05 mg l(-1)), Co (0.31 mg l(-1)), Ni (0.041 mg l(-1)), Cd (0.028 mg l(-1)), Pb (0.108 mg l(-1)) and Zn (6.73 mg l(-1)). The germination percentage of seed, seedling growth and chlorophyll content showed a gradual decline with increase in effluent concentration. It has been observed that at 25% effluent concentration, there is growth in the root length (3.50 cm seedling(-1)), an increase in shoot length (23.90 cm seedling(-1)) and total chlorophyll content (4.467 mg g(-1) fresh weight) up to 20 days. After 20 day there is decline in all the parameters observed. However at higher concentrations of the effluent, toxic effects were observed from 20th day. This suggests that the effluent can be used safely for green gram cultivation, only after proper treatment and dilution.

Cadmium induced changes on proline, antioxidant enzymes, nitrate and nitrite reductases in Arachis hypogaea L

The groundnut, Arachis hypogaea seedlings, when grown in pot cultures for 10-25 days at 25, 50, 100 microM CdCl2, showed a marked decline in growth compared to control. Similar trend was observed for nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) activities whereas proline, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) showed increasing trend when observed on the 10th day of the experiment. Changes have occurred in the physiological and biochemical activities which are observed even at low Cd levels (25 microM). At 100 microM concentration, with increase in experimental days, Cd has imposed drastic decrease in leaf and stem respectively where nitrate reductase has varied from 20.87-79.41 and 29.11-72.91% and nitrite reductase 21.66-79.41 and 43.58-75.92% respectively. Contrastingly Cd treated plant tissues showed an increase in proline 111.2-159.87% (percentage changes) and 131.23-212.16% for leaves and stems respectively. In addition cadmium caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes, peroxidase 48.12-72.19% in leaf and 37.71-75.25% in stem and catalase 64.86-143.92% in leaf and 129.13-214.74% in stem as compared to control. The study concludes that the activities of NR, NiR, proline, POD, CAT are inhibited suggesting that Arachis hypogaea seedlings are under Cd stress affecting their growth.

A study on the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of an ayurvedic drug Rajanyamalakadi in diabetic patients

A study was undertaken for evaluating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of an ayurvedic medicine "Rajanyamalakadi" containing Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis and Salacia oblonga in type II diabetic patients over a period of 3 months. Ethical committee consent for the study was given by the Director, Indian Systems of Medicine, Kerala. A total of 43 patients with established diabetes mellitus as adjudged from clinical features and FBS values, appeared for the camp (Age group 35-75 yrs). An informed consent for the study was obtained from each patient. The clinical proforma was given to each patient to collect data such as height, weight, diet pattern, previous history of illness etc. The ongoing antidiabetic medications were stopped under medical supervision and the patients were provided with 'Rajanyamalakadi' tablets (dose 1-2 tablets each weighing 500mg). The dosage of the drug was decided by the supervising medical officer on a case to case basis, taking note of the clinical conditions and responsiveness of the patients. The patients were monitored for three months, who were divided into 6 groups based on their age and again into two groups, 5 & 6, based on their mean FBS values. ie; Normal Persons, Diabetics of age groups 35-45yrs, 46-55yrs, >55yrs and those with FBS < 145.9 mg% and > 145.9 mg%. The Ayurvedic medicine "Rajanyamalakadi" has showed significant antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. In addition to that significant ameliorating effects on the elevated serum AST and ALT activities were also demonstrated by the treatment. The nutraceuticals present in the drug like Terpenoids, Polyphenols, Curcumin etc are responsible for the medicinal effects.

Biodegradable microspheres of ketorolac tromethamine for parenteral administration

Ketorolac tromethamine loaded microspheres were prepared using two different polyesters, namely poly (lactic acid) and poly (glycolic acid) by solvent evaporation technique. The morphology of microspheres was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro release profiles of these microspheres were studied in phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4. The release kinetics of ketorolac tromethamine from the microspheres was evaluated by fitting the release data to the zero-order, Higuchi and korsemeyer-peppas equations. All microspheres showed initial burst release, followed by fickian diffusion of drug through microspheres. These microspheres were formulated as parenterals to have controlled release system.