Osteogenic Potential of Poly (l-lactic acid) Scaffolds Prepared by Thermally Controlled Methods on Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) method was used to make porous three-dimensional PLLA scaffolds. The effect of imposed thermal profile during freezing of the PLLA in dioxane solution on the scaffold was characterized by their micro-structure, porosity (%), pore-sizes distribution and mechanical strength. The porosity (%) decreased considerably with increasing concentrations of PLLA in the solution, while a decreasing trend was observed with increasing cooling rates. The mechanical strength increases with increase in PLLA concentration and also with increase in the cooling rate for both types of solvents. Therefore, mechanical strength was increased by higher cooling rates while the porosity (%) remained relatively consistent. Scaffolds made using higher concentrations of PLLA (7% and 10% w/v) in solvent, showed better mechanical strength which improved relatively with increasing cooling rates. This phenomenon of enhanced structural integrity with increasing cooling rates was more prominent in scaffolds made from higher initial PLLA concentrations. Human adipose derived stem cells were cultured on these scaffold (7 and 10% w/v) prepared by TIPS at all cooling rates to measure the cell proliferation efficiency as a function of their micro-structural properties. Mean pore-sizes played a crucial role in the cell proliferation than % porosity since all scaffolds were \u3e 88 % porous. The viability of human adipose tissue derived adult stem cells cultured on 7% PLLA scaffolds cooled at 10˚C/min was also shown to be comparable with corresponding culture conditions without scaffolds for a period of 42 days. Scaffolds made from 10% PLLA in dioxane and cooled at 10°C/min favored cell proliferation compared to scaffolds made from other parameters. This structurally characterized scaffolds for bio-response was used for osteogenic studies and found that PLLA scaffolds are ‘osteoinductive’ when cultured in stromal media in vitro. Osteo-conductivity of PLLA on hASCs was further enhanced with osteo-inductive media

An Unusual Case of Liver Abscess Caused by Trematodes

Liver abscess caused by trematodes is considered highly unusual. Here we present a case of an elderly female with no knowncomorbidities, who presented with fever and right upper quadrant pain. Upon evaluation, she was found to have features ofliver abscess on abdominal ultrasound and 640-slice computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen. Ultrasound-guided needlebiopsy of the liver showed features of trematode. Patient was treated with oral nitazoxanide. Patient’s fever and abdominalpain subsided after the treatment

Long term retention of retigabine in a cohort of people with drug resistant epilepsy

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of retigabine (RTG) for epilepsy in clinical practice at a single UK tertiary centre. METHODS: We identified all individuals who were offered RTG from April 2011 to May 2013. We collected demographics, seizure types, previous and current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), starting and maximum attained daily dose of RTG, clinical benefits, side effects, and reason to discontinue RTG from in- and outpatient encounters until February 28, 2014. RESULTS: 145 people who had failed a median of 11 AEDs took at least one dose of RTG. One year retention was 32% and decreased following the safety alert by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2013. None became seizure free. 34 people (24%) reported a benefit that was ongoing at last assessment in five (3%). The most relevant benefit was the significant reduction or cessation of drop attacks or seizure-related falls in four women, this persisted at last assessment in two. The presence of simple partial seizures was associated with longer retention, as was a higher attained dose of RTG. Adverse effects were seen in 74% and largely CNS-related or nonspecific and affected the genitourinary system in 13%. CONCLUSION: Retention of RTG was less favourable compared to data from open label extension studies of the regulatory trials. In comparison with historical data on similar retention audits retention of RTG at one year appears to be less than lamotrigine, topiramate, levetiracetam, pregabalin, zonisamide, and lacosamide, and slightly higher than gabapentin

Derivation of Simplified Blood Pressure Percentile Chart for Children Aged 1-13 Years in Southern India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Systemic arterial hypertension is an important cause of adverse cardiovascular events with high morbidity and mortality in adults. Blood Pressure (BP) percentile chart from outside India varies significantly in comparison with Indian charts. Percentile distribution charts have already been developed for adults in various studies but its use is limited in paediatric age group. Aim: To measure blood pressure values of children aged between 1-13 years and derive percentile charts for each age group. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at SRM Medical College and Research Centre in Kattankalathur, Tamil Nadu, India. Duration of the study was six months from July to December 2021. After Registration of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, 1230 children were recruited and BP was measured using oscillometric method. Blood pressure values were represented as mean with standard deviations. Univariate analyses between blood pressure, age, height, and weight were done with Pearson’s correlation method, and gender differences were tested with Student’s t-test. Results: Study group included 1,230 children with a mean (SD) age of 6.1 (3.4) years. Simplified percentile charts were created using age and gender. Height and weight was not used as it was seen to explain very little variability of BP. 95th percentile values suggested levels indicating hypertension to be 110/71.5, 125/79, 131/83.5 at ages of 1,5 and 10 years respectively for female while the same for male was 105/70, 124/79, 129/82. Conclusion: Simplified reference tables and charts, and simple convenient thresholds may be useful for rapid screening of hypertension using oscillometric method