EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF SINGLE-CELL ELECTROPORATION WITH AN ELECTROLYTE-FILLED CAPILLARY

Electroporation is a technique that uses electric fields to create transient nanopores in a cell's membrane thereby increasing its permeability. In single-cell electroporation, a localized electric field is applied to a single cell to achieve selective permeabilization of the targeted cell without affecting its neighbors. However, there are no experimental reports on the quantitative treatment of single-cell electroporation. We have developed a quantitative approach to control and maximize cell permeabilization and viability in single-cell electroporation. Single-cell electroporation experiments have been performed using small-sized electrolyte-filled capillaries. A549 cells are exposed to the dye Thioglo-1 leading to green fluorescence from intracellular thiol adducts. The fluorescent cells are exposed to brief electric field pulses at varying cell-capillary tip distances. Loss of fluorescence from diffusion of Thioglo-1 conjugates out of the cell is measured as a function of time. Results revealed that longer pulses and a shorter cell-capillary tip distance led to a greater decrease in the cell's fluorescence and are more deadly. A large variability in single-cell electroporation within a set of experimental conditions has been observed. In order to understand the variability in single-cell electroporation, logistic regression has been performed to determine the probabilities of cell survival and electroporation dependence on experimental conditions and cell parameters. The results revealed that the cells are more readily permeabilized and are more likely to survive if they are large and hemispherical as opposed to small and ellipsoidal with a high aspect ratio. Further, a quantitative approach has been developed to determine the experimental and cell parameters that influence the outcome of a single-cell electroporation experiment. The regression analysis results revealed that the outcome of electroporation can be related to the cell-capillary tip distance and cell size. The relationship obtained has been used to control the magnitude of molecular flux from single cells, and decrease the variability in the outcome of electroporation of A549, and two more cell lines DU 145, and PC-3 cells. Further, results revealed that cell survivability could be retained across the three cell lines by controlling the magnitude of molecular efflux to 55 % or less

Quality assessment of value-added Indian recipe pedakiya prepared from composite flour and sesame seeds.

The present study was designed to enhance the nutritional value of the Indian recipe pedakiya/gujiya, a traditional sweet deep-fried dumpling, by utilizing the beneficial properties of composite flour (oat and peas flour) and sesame seeds. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the effects of partial substitution of refined wheat flour with oat and peas flour on nutritional, sensory, and microbiological parameters as affected by different cooking (deep-fat frying, baking, and air-frying) methods. The dough was developed by partially substituting a high percentage of refined wheat flour with oat flour, peas flour, and sesame seeds and based on the different treatments, these were coded as P0 (control), P1 (value-added pedakiya processed by deep-fat frying at 120 °C /5 minutes), P2 (air-fried at 120 °C  /30 minutes), and P3 (baked at 200 °C /25 minutes). Based on sensory evaluation, sample P1 was the most acceptable by the sensory panel. Chemical analyses revealed that the addition of composite flour and sesame seeds substantially increased the nutritional parameters of the product. The product's microbiological analyses revealed that, up to a 15-day storage period, the product was well within safe levels. Aluminum bags were determined to be a suitable packaging material for storing the value-added pedakiya based on the water activity (at 37 °C/91% RH) and overall acceptability scores. This study has provided an alternative approach for preparing traditional pedakiya by utilizing healthier options. The topic of the present study is very timely since consumers are constantly looking for better alternatives to traditional fried dishes

A case study on 360 Degree Evaluation of Programme Performance Indicators to Enrich Student Learning Experience at Middle East College

The purpose of this study is to explore the programme performance indicators so that the student experiences on teaching and learning can be enhanced at Middle East College(MEC). Improving the quality of education depends on the different parameters. Determining the objective for each indicator that measure the performance levels of students is necessary for maintaining quality assurance. In order for the department to maintain high standards, administrators and faculty members must identify all the performance indicators. The programme management team has set the action strategies to achieve the performance indicators based on the programme objectives. This research paper captures the action strategies implemented in the programme and a complete review of those activities to analyse the program performance which could be used for all education institution

Use of clomiphene to prevent premature luteinizing hormone surge during controlled ovarian hyper stimulation

Background: This study seeks to evaluate concurrent use of clomiphene to block spontaneous LH surge in controlled ovarian stimulation in patients with good ovarian reserve.Methods: Thirty five fertile donors with good antral count were stimulated from day 1 or 2 of spontaneous or withdrawal bleeds with clomiphene citrate and recombinant FSH. Transvaginal oocyte retrieval was done after 34 hours of trigger.   An LH surge was defined as an LH level ≥10 mIU/ml with progesterone elevation (≥1.0 ng/ml). Fertilization and Embryo quality was assessed from day 2 onwards. Each recipient was transferred a maximum of 3 embryos and remaining were cryopreserved.Results: After an average stimulation of 8.65 days, 15.4 oocytes were retrieved per stimulation. LH surge was noted in 3 cases (9.68%) though oocyte retrieval was done in all cases. Fresh embryo transfer was done in respective recipients of all cases with an implantation rate of 61.29% and a cumulative live birth rate of 42%.Conclusions: Controlled ovarian stimulation using clomiphene and gonadotropin is a viable option to prevent LH surge without additional use of antagonist

Co-cultivation of Curcuma longa with Piriformospora indica Enhances the Yield and Active Ingredients

The rhizome of Curcuma longa is used in the traditional medicinal system. Its secondary metabolites curcumin and the volatile oil possess wound-healing properties and inhibitory activities against certain pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Piriformospora indica is a root endophytic fungus that colonizes many plant roots and promotes the growth. P. indica was cultivated in the 5 litre capacity fermentor under standard conditions. The filtered biomass was then mixed with raw talcum powder. The propagative buds were treated with this formulation containing both sterile and inoculated fungus. We demonstrated that co- cultivation of C. longa and P. indica resulted in pronounced productivity and enhanced secondary metabolites- curcumin and volatile oil in farmers’ field. To the authors best of knowledge this is the first report where symbiotic fungus has added value to this medicinal plant in the agricultural field

Findings of MR Imaging and it's necessity in Children with First Recognized Seizure: A Tertiary Center Based prospective Cohort Study

identified in 34 (12%). The most common abnormalities were ventricular enlargement (51%), leukomalacia/gliosis (23%), gray matter lesions such as heterotopias and cortical dysplasia (12%), volume loss (12%), various other white matter lesions (9%), and encephalomalacia (6%). Abnormalities defined as significant, or potentially related to seizures, occurred in 40 (14%). Temporal lobe and hippocampal abnormalities were detected at a higher frequency than in previous studies (13/8

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Healthcare Access and Quality Index based on mortality from causes amenable to personal health care in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2015 : a novel analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background National levels of personal health-care access and quality can be approximated by measuring mortality rates from causes that should not be fatal in the presence of effective medical care (ie, amenable mortality). Previous analyses of mortality amenable to health care only focused on high-income countries and faced several methodological challenges. In the present analysis, we use the highly standardised cause of death and risk factor estimates generated through the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to improve and expand the quantification of personal health-care access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015. Methods We mapped the most widely used list of causes amenable to personal health care developed by Nolte and McKee to 32 GBD causes. We accounted for variations in cause of death certification and misclassifications through the extensive data standardisation processes and redistribution algorithms developed for GBD. To isolate the effects of personal health-care access and quality, we risk-standardised cause-specific mortality rates for each geography-year by removing the joint effects of local environmental and behavioural risks, and adding back the global levels of risk exposure as estimated for GBD 2015. We employed principal component analysis to create a single, interpretable summary measure-the Healthcare Quality and Access (HAQ) Index-on a scale of 0 to 100. The HAQ Index showed strong convergence validity as compared with other health-system indicators, including health expenditure per capita (r= 0.88), an index of 11 universal health coverage interventions (r= 0.83), and human resources for health per 1000 (r= 0.77). We used free disposal hull analysis with bootstrapping to produce a frontier based on the relationship between the HAQ Index and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a measure of overall development consisting of income per capita, average years of education, and total fertility rates. This frontier allowed us to better quantify the maximum levels of personal health-care access and quality achieved across the development spectrum, and pinpoint geographies where gaps between observed and potential levels have narrowed or widened over time. Findings Between 1990 and 2015, nearly all countries and territories saw their HAQ Index values improve; nonetheless, the difference between the highest and lowest observed HAQ Index was larger in 2015 than in 1990, ranging from 28.6 to 94.6. Of 195 geographies, 167 had statistically significant increases in HAQ Index levels since 1990, with South Korea, Turkey, Peru, China, and the Maldives recording among the largest gains by 2015. Performance on the HAQ Index and individual causes showed distinct patterns by region and level of development, yet substantial heterogeneities emerged for several causes, including cancers in highest-SDI countries; chronic kidney disease, diabetes, diarrhoeal diseases, and lower respiratory infections among middle-SDI countries; and measles and tetanus among lowest-SDI countries. While the global HAQ Index average rose from 40.7 (95% uncertainty interval, 39.0-42.8) in 1990 to 53.7 (52.2-55.4) in 2015, far less progress occurred in narrowing the gap between observed HAQ Index values and maximum levels achieved; at the global level, the difference between the observed and frontier HAQ Index only decreased from 21.2 in 1990 to 20.1 in 2015. If every country and territory had achieved the highest observed HAQ Index by their corresponding level of SDI, the global average would have been 73.8 in 2015. Several countries, particularly in eastern and western sub-Saharan Africa, reached HAQ Index values similar to or beyond their development levels, whereas others, namely in southern sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia, lagged behind what geographies of similar development attained between 1990 and 2015. Interpretation This novel extension of the GBD Study shows the untapped potential for personal health-care access and quality improvement across the development spectrum. Amid substantive advances in personal health care at the national level, heterogeneous patterns for individual causes in given countries or territories suggest that few places have consistently achieved optimal health-care access and quality across health-system functions and therapeutic areas. This is especially evident in middle-SDI countries, many of which have recently undergone or are currently experiencing epidemiological transitions. The HAQ Index, if paired with other measures of health-systemcharacteristics such as intervention coverage, could provide a robust avenue for tracking progress on universal health coverage and identifying local priorities for strengthening personal health-care quality and access throughout the world. Copyright (C) The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries : a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background In September, 2015, the UN General Assembly established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs specify 17 universal goals, 169 targets, and 230 indicators leading up to 2030. We provide an analysis of 33 health-related SDG indicators based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 (GBD 2015). Methods We applied statistical methods to systematically compiled data to estimate the performance of 33 health-related SDG indicators for 188 countries from 1990 to 2015. We rescaled each indicator on a scale from 0 (worst observed value between 1990 and 2015) to 100 (best observed). Indices representing all 33 health-related SDG indicators (health-related SDG index), health-related SDG indicators included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG index), and health-related indicators not included in the MDGs (non-MDG index) were computed as the geometric mean of the rescaled indicators by SDG target. We used spline regressions to examine the relations between the Socio-demographic Index (SDI, a summary measure based on average income per person, educational attainment, and total fertility rate) and each of the health-related SDG indicators and indices. Findings In 2015, the median health-related SDG index was 59.3 (95% uncertainty interval 56.8-61.8) and varied widely by country, ranging from 85.5 (84.2-86.5) in Iceland to 20.4 (15.4-24.9) in Central African Republic. SDI was a good predictor of the health-related SDG index (r(2) = 0.88) and the MDG index (r(2) = 0.2), whereas the non-MDG index had a weaker relation with SDI (r(2) = 0.79). Between 2000 and 2015, the health-related SDG index improved by a median of 7.9 (IQR 5.0-10.4), and gains on the MDG index (a median change of 10.0 [6.7-13.1]) exceeded that of the non-MDG index (a median change of 5.5 [2.1-8.9]). Since 2000, pronounced progress occurred for indicators such as met need with modern contraception, under-5 mortality, and neonatal mortality, as well as the indicator for universal health coverage tracer interventions. Moderate improvements were found for indicators such as HIV and tuberculosis incidence, minimal changes for hepatitis B incidence took place, and childhood overweight considerably worsened. Interpretation GBD provides an independent, comparable avenue for monitoring progress towards the health-related SDGs. Our analysis not only highlights the importance of income, education, and fertility as drivers of health improvement but also emphasises that investments in these areas alone will not be sufficient. Although considerable progress on the health-related MDG indicators has been made, these gains will need to be sustained and, in many cases, accelerated to achieve the ambitious SDG targets. The minimal improvement in or worsening of health-related indicators beyond the MDGs highlight the need for additional resources to effectively address the expanded scope of the health-related SDGs.Peer reviewe