On Availability of a Series system with Imperfect Detectors

An n-unit series system with exponential distributions for life-times and repair-time has been considered. Each unit is equipped with a detector to detect failures. Detectors are subject to two failure modes: viz. (i) instantaneous failure i.e. it fails at the time of need when a unit fails; (ii) gradual failure i.e. it fails and gives false alarm for system failure. Steady-state availability of the system is obtained by studying the underlying system equations. Behavior of steady-state unavailability has also been studied analytically

A case report of all-trans retinoic acid-induced pseudotumor cerebri in an adult patient of acute promyelocytic leukemia

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a derivative of vitamin A, is the first line drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). At the same time, ATRA is also associated with various side effects, including some life threatening conditions. We describe a case of ATRA-induced pseudotumor cerebri in an adult patient of APL

Orthodontic repositioning of traumatically intruded permanent incisors - A report of three cases

Intrusive luxation of permanent teeth is one of the most serious traumatic dental injuries involving damage to the gingival tissue, periodontal ligament, cementum, bone and to the neurovascular supply of the pulp. In addition to disruption of normal tooth development and eruption, it can also lead to pulpal necrosis, root resorption and marginal bone loss. Based on the extent/severity, intrusion maybe classified into mild (<3 mm), moderate (3-6mm) and severe (>6mm). Available techniques for managing intrusive luxation include a wait-and-watch approach to allow for spontaneous re-eruption, orthodontic traction and surgical repositioning. The type of treatment approach employed depends upon the stage of root development, severity of intrusive luxation and the presence or absence of alveolar fractures. It is difficult to predict reliable outcomes with these approaches, since the presence of variables such as the severity of intrusion, associated crown/root fracture, stage of root development and presence of alveolar fractures may alter the prognosis. The present article presents a series of three cases with intrusive luxation of permanent incisors successfully treated using an interdisciplinary approach involving orthodontic traction along with endodontic rehabilitation

Cathodoluminescence Studies of Nanoindented CdZnTe Single Crystal Substrates for Analysis of Residual Stresses and Deformation Behaviour

Nanoindentation-induced residual stresses were analysed on (111) Te face CdZnTe single-crystal substrates in this study. CdZnTe substrates were subjected to nanoindentation using cube corner indenter geometry with a peak load of 10 mN. Loading rates of 1 mN/s and 5 mN/s were used in the experiments, with a holding time of 10 s at peak load. Residual stresses on the indented region were analysed from load-displacement curves and explained using dislocation generation and elastic recovery mechanisms. Residual stresses were found to be of compressive type, just on the indented surface. The slip lines along the slip directions of this material were clearly visible in the FE-SEM images of the indents. Indents and surrounding surfaces were characterized using the Cathodoluminescence (CL) technique. CL mapping of the indented surface revealed the dislocation generation and their propagation behaviour just beneath the indenter as well as in the surrounding surfaces. The dislocations act as non-radiative recombination centres and quench the CL intensity locally. Dark lines were explained as the presence of dislocations in the material. CL mapping analysis shows that both the rosette glide and tetrahedral glide of dislocations are the primary deformation mechanisms present in CdZnTe. A rosette structure was observed in the CL mapping. CL spectra at 300 K of un-deformed CdZnTe show a peak at 810 nm wavelength, which corresponds to near-band-edge emission. After indentation, the CL spectra show the peak intensity at 814 nm and 823 nm wavelengths at the edge of the indents created with a loading rate of 1 mN/s and 5 mN/s, respectively. These peak shifts from 810 nm were attributed to the tensile residual stresses present in the indented material

Bulk Disposal of Unserviceable Toxic Cresylic Acid Waste Using Polymerisation Technique

A bulk amount of unserviceable toxic cresylic acid waste has been disposed off in a safe and environmentally benign manner. A process to immobilize this waste into non-toxic solid cresol formaldehyde polymer has been developed. Initial study was performed for 1.0 Kg batch size for optimizing the process parameters and conditions, and on the basis of this data, process was scaled-up for bulk disposal (100 Kg / batch). The effect of ratio of reactants, type of catalyst [H2SO4, NaOH and Ca(OH)2], catalyst concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time have been studied in a batch process. Maximum immobilization in the 1.0 Kg batch studies was obtained when cresylic acid and formaldehyde were taken in a molar ratio 1 : 1.5 using NaOH as a catalyst. For bulk polymerization, a ratio of 1.0 : 1.2 (cresylic acid : formaldehyde) with NaOH {0.7 % (wt. / wt. of total charge)} was found optimum. The final polymerized product has been buried as per standard procedure in two brick lined pits and finally, the site has been declared as free from the toxic waste.Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(5), pp.505-511, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.51

Pneumatic Displacement of a Dense Sub-inner Limiting Membrane Pre-macular Hemorrhage in Dengue Maculopathy: A Novel Treatment Approach

Sub-inner limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhage is a rare presenting feature of dengue maculopathy. A 24-year-old man in active military service who was recently treated for dengue hemorrhagic fever presented with sub-ILM bleeding in right eye (dominant eye) with profound diminution of vision. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography confirmed sub-ILM hemorrhage with no evidence of vasculitis/venous occlusion or neovascularization. He refused active surgical management by pars plana vitrectomy and was treated with pneumatic tamponade of C3F8 (100%) gas with prone positioning in order to achieve faster visual recovery. He responded well to treatment with complete visual recovery in 1 week. This case report documents for the first time treatment of sub-ILM hemorrhage in the premacular area with pneumatic tamponade in prone position leading to rapid and complete visual recovery in a patient with dengue maculopathy. This novel approach can be employed for patients who are ineligible for more active surgical management

Detection of Anti-Rod and Anti-Ring Autoantibodies in a Patient with Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cirrhosis of Liver: A Case Report

Present case relates to results of diagnostic autoantibodies reactive against various antigens. Autoantibodies reactive against 16 nuclear antigens (Mi-2, ku, nRNP/Sm, S5-A(nativ), RO-52, SS-B, Scl-70, PM-Scl100, jo-1, CENPB, PCNA, DsDNA, nucleosomes, histones, ribosomal P-protein) and antigen Anti-Mitochondrial M2 Antibody (AMA-M2) were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosolvent assay, using a membrane as the solid phase; no colour reaction developed, suggesting absence of antibodies against above antigens. However, autoantibodies against rod and ring-like structures Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase (IMPD) were detected. Presence of high titer autoantibodies against Double stranded (Ds) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Sm nuclear antigens might be diagnostic of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, low titer antibodies against other nuclear antigens might increase the risk to develop SLE in an asymptomatic patient. Immune complexes might develop and get deposited in synovium. Later, chronic synovitis might develop. In addition, the test for rheumatoid factor was negative with serum of the current patient. Patient was diagnosed as a case of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The patient also had cirrhosis of the liver. Rarely, anti-rod and anti-ring autoantibodies might develop in a patient with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. Further, these antibodies might also be detected in sera of patients with SLE or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or during treatment with interferon-α/Ribavirin. However, the significance of these autoantibodies in pathogenesis of a autoimmune disease or HCV infection is unknown. High titer antibodies against double stranded (Ds) DNA and Sm antigens might be diagnostic of SLE

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF LIPID BASED TOPICAL FORMULATIONS OF SILVER SULFADIAZINE FOR TREATMENT OF BURNS AND WOUNDS

Abstract: The aim of this research was to develop a novel lipid based film forming gel based on polymer and to investigate its potential as slow-release wound healing vehicle. The lipid based is composed of water soluble gel with model drug (Silver Sulfadiazine) and an egg oil, which acted as a remove scars. The morphology, rheology, mechanical properties, in-vitro drug release profiles were investigated. A smooth film layers was produced. The characterization results showed that film has superior mechanical and rheological properties than the ointment and cream. The lipid based gel treating low suppurating wounds and suitable for slow release application on wound surfaces. The lipid based gel also provided a significant higher healing rate in-vivo, with well-formed epidermis with faster granulation tissue formation when compared to the controls. In conclusions, a novel polymer-based lipid film gel was developed and results suggested that they can be exploited as slow-release wound dressings. Key Words: Wound healings, slow release, silver sulfadiazine and film ge

MADS-box gene family in rice: genome-wide identification, organization and expression profiling during reproductive development and stress

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MADS-box transcription factors, besides being involved in floral organ specification, have also been implicated in several aspects of plant growth and development. In recent years, there have been reports on genomic localization, protein motif structure, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure and expression of the entire MADS-box family in the model plant system, <it>Arabidopsis</it>. Though there have been some studies in rice as well, an analysis of the complete MADS-box family along with a comprehensive expression profiling was still awaited after the completion of rice genome sequencing. Furthermore, owing to the role of MADS-box family in flower development, an analysis involving structure, expression and functional aspects of MADS-box genes in rice and <it>Arabidopsis </it>was required to understand the role of this gene family in reproductive development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A genome-wide molecular characterization and microarray-based expression profiling of the genes encoding MADS-box transcription factor family in rice is presented. Using a thorough annotation exercise, 75 MADS-box genes have been identified in rice and categorized into MIKC^c, MIKC*, Mα, Mβ and Mγ groups based on phylogeny. Chromosomal localization of these genes reveals that 16 MADS-box genes, mostly MIKC^c-type, are located within the duplicated segments of the rice genome, whereas most of the M-type genes, 20 in all, seem to have resulted from tandem duplications. Nine members belonging to the Mβ group, which was considered absent in monocots, have also been identified. The expression profiles of all the MADS-box genes have been analyzed under 11 temporal stages of panicle and seed development, three abiotic stress conditions, along with three stages of vegetative development. Transcripts for 31 genes accumulate preferentially in the reproductive phase, of which, 12 genes are specifically expressed in seeds, and six genes show expression specific to panicle development. Differential expression of seven genes under stress conditions is also evident. An attempt has been made to gain insight into plausible functions of rice MADS-box genes by collating the expression data of functionally validated genes in rice and <it>Arabidopsis</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Only a limited number of MADS genes have been functionally validated in rice. A comprehensive annotation and transcriptome profiling undertaken in this investigation adds to our understanding of the involvement of MADS-box family genes during reproductive development and stress in rice and also provides the basis for selection of candidate genes for functional validation studies.</p

Molecular surveillance of Dengue Virus (DENV) and its co-infection with Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) among febrile patients: A comparative study from South Delhi, India

Dengue and Chikungunya are two major arboviral infections transmitted worldwide by the mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. India suffers enormously with both Dengue and Chikungunya as they pose a great public health challenge. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Dengue Virus (DENV), Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) and DENV/CHIKV co-infection (by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)/Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), their clinical features, DENV serotypes and CHIKV specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) within a 7 years gap in the Delhi population. The study sample included clinically suspected febrile patients (?7 days) sera collected during 2017-2018 (n=87) and during 2008-2010 (n=623) from Delhi. Captured ELISA was performed for CHIKV IgG screening and nested PCR was done for DENV serotyping. The percentage prevalence for DENV was significantly higher than CHIKV with 41.38% (n=87) and 16.1% (n=87), respectively; interestingly, DENV/CHIKV co-infection was detected in 10.34% (n=9/87) cases during 2017-2018. Similarly, a high DENV prevalence was observed during 2008-2010 with the prevalence rate of 38.3% (69/180),  34.65% (35/101) and 47.07% (161/342), respectively. DENV 1 and DENV 3 were dominant serotype during 2008-2010 and 2017-2018 respectively. We have noticed a high prevalence (36.67%, 22/60) of the CHIKV IgG antibody in the 2017-2018 samples. Joint pain was more preferential to CHIKV mono-infection and DENV/CHIKV co-infection compared to DENV mono-infection. The present study highlights the need for active surveillance simultaneously for both DENV and CHIKV and to evaluate the role of CHIKV/DENV co-infections in disease severity in the endemic regions.