Predictors of Malignancy in Chronic Pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION : Chronic pancreatitis is a condition characterised by irreversible destruction and fibrosis of the exocrine parenchyma, leading to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and progressive endocrine failure leading to diabetes. Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis is the commonest type of chronic pancreatitis seen in the western world, while in the tropics there is a distinct non-alcoholic type of chronic pancreatitis of uncertain aetiology, which is far more common. Several names have been proposed for this type of chronic pancreatitis including tropical chronic pancreatitis (TCP), tropical calcific pancreatitis, juvenile pancreatitis syndrome, Afro-Asian pancreatitis, and fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes. TCP can be defined as a juvenile form of chronic calcific non-alcoholic pancreatitis prevalent almost exclusively in the developing countries of the tropical world. Some of its distinctive features are younger age at onset, presence of large intraductal calculi, an accelerated course of the disease leading the end points of diabetes and/or steatorrhoea, and a high susceptibility to pancreatic cancer. Kini reported the first case of pancreatic calculi from India in 1937 and this was followed by reports of pancreatic calculi observed at postmortem from Vellore in southern India. However, it was after Geevarghese, one of the pioneers in the field, documented one of the largest series in the world from Kerala state in Southern India that TCP attracted International attention. AIM OF THE STUDY : The aim of the study was to A. Prospectively analyse the mass lesion arising in the background of chronic pancreatitis clinically, biochemically & radiologically. B. To identify the predictors of malignancy in patients with chronic pancreatitis without a tissue diagnosis. METHODS : Between August 2004 to February 2007, 32 patients who presented with chronic pancreatitis and mass lesion to the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Government Stanley Hospital, Chennai were included for the study. Among these 10 were due to Alcoholic pancreatitis and 22 were due to Tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP). Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis was defined as chronic pancreatitis associated with the consumption of greater than 50 units of alcohol per week for atleast 5 years. TCP was defined as non-alcoholic pancreatitis with features of younger age at onset, presence of large intraductal calculi, an accelerated course of the disease leading to the end points of diabetes and/or steatorrhoea.Detailed history was obtained from all patients. CONCLUSION : In the appropriate clinical setting, a patient with sudden worsening of abdominal pain with S.Bilirubin > 6.5 mg%, CA 19-9>114 U/ml, MPD>13.5 mm, CBD>16 mm & multiple Intrapancreatic cystic lesions should be strongly considered to have malignancy

Welding

Friction welding method is one of the most simple, economical and highly productive methods in joining similar and dissimilar metals. It is widely used in the automotive, aircraft and aerospace industrial applications. For many applications it is often necessary to join aluminium (6061) to make finished part. In this project the main aim is to weld the small thickness of aluminum (6061) plates for that friction welding machine used is of higher cost. Here the aim is reduce the cost of friction welding machine with simple parts like three phase A.C induction motor, bush, frame stand, friction tool, universal vice, vertical moving bed, horizontal moving bed, etc. The result expected would be of same strength as that of old friction welding machine. It is very easy and at same time production time is very much reduced. This machine is best suitable for mass production

Resistome and mobilome in surface runoff from manured soil as affected by setback distance

Land application of livestock manure introduces antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) into the soil environment. The objectives of this study were to examine the changes of resistome and mobilome in runoff and soil as a function of setback distance, i.e., the distance between manured soil and surface water, and to quantify the contributions of manure and background soil to the ARGs and MGEs in surface runoff. The resistome and mobilome in runoff and soil from a field-scale plot study were characterized using a high throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (HT-qPCR) array. It was estimated that a setback distance of ~40 m is required to reduce the total abundance of ARGs and MGEs in runoff from amended plots to that in control runoff. The resistome and mobilome of the soil in the setback region was not affected by manure-borne ARGs and MGEs. SourceTracker analyses revealed that background soil gradually became the predominant source of the ARGs and MGEs in runoff as setback distance increased. The results demonstrate how manure-borne ARGs and MGEs dissipated in agricultural runoff with increasing setback distance and had limited impacts on the resistome and mobilome of soil within the setback region

Anisotropic optical response of InP self-assembled quantum dots studied by pump-probe spectroscopy

Transient anisotropic reflectivity change spectra of InP quantum dots have been observed by means of two-color pump-probe spectroscopy. The results show a fast decay component with a lifetime of 100–200 ps which depends on the probe energy, followed by the slow decay component of ~1 ns. The reflectivity change spectra have a dispersive shape having a maximum on the higher energy side of the photoluminescence (PL) band by 80 meV, and a dip located at the maximum of the PL band. Interestingly, the reflectivity change signals observed for the [1[overline 1]0] and [110] polarizations have the opposite sign when the probe energy is set between the first and second exciton states. The temporal change of spectra is simulated by means of a Monte Carlo method, and the model is found to well reproduce the experimental result. Further, the model enables us to evaluate the microscopic exciton parameters of single quantum dots by macroscopic observations. The oscillator strengths along the [110] and [1[overline 1]0] directions at the PL peak energy are evaluated to be fx=0.37 and fy=0.71, respectively. The oscillator strength is about five times smaller than simple theoretical estimates. This suggests a small overlap of the envelope functions which is consistent with the existence of a permanent dipole moment observed in these QDs

Facile synthesis of cellulose microfibers supported palladium nanospindles on graphene oxide for selective detection of dopamine in pharmaceutical and biological samples

The cost-effective synthesis of novel functional nanomaterials has received significant attention in the physical and chemical sciences due to their improved surface area, high catalytic activity along with unique morphological features. This paper reports a facile and eco-friendly synthesis of spindle-like palladium nanostructures (PdSPs) on graphene oxide-cellulose microfiber (GO-CMF) composite for the first time. The GO-CMF/PdSPs composite was synthesized by an electrochemical method without the use of additional surfactants and capping agents. The synthesized materials were characterized and confirmed by using transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. As-synthesized GO-CMF/PdSPs composite modified electrode was used as a selective electrocatalyst for the oxidation of dopamine (DA). The electrochemical redox behaviors of DA were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The CV results revealed that the GO-CMF/PdSPs composite modified electrode has 10 folds enhanced oxidation current response to DA than GO, PdSPs and GO-CMF modified GCEs. Under optimized conditions, the GO-CMF/PdSPs composite sensor exhibits a linear response to DA in the concentration range from 0.3 to 196.3 μM with the lower detection limit of 23 nM. The nanocomposite electrode also shows promising features towards the reliable and selective detection of DA, which includes high stability, reproducibility and high selectivity towards the commonly interfering species such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, and dihydroxybenzene isomers. The sensor was successfully tested for the real-time detection of DA in the commercial DA injections and human serum samples

Strategy for tumor selective disruption of androgen receptor function in the spectrum of prostate cancer

Purpose: Testosterone suppression in prostate cancer (PC) is limited by serious side effects and resistance via restoration of androgen receptor (AR) functionality. ELK1 is required for ARdependent growth in various hormone-dependent and castration resistant PC models. The amino terminal domain of AR docks at two sites on ELK1 to co-activate essential growth genes. This study explores the ability of small molecules to disrupt the ELK1-AR interaction in the spectrum of PC, inhibiting AR activity in a manner that would predict functional tumor selectivity. Experimental design: Small molecule drug discovery and extensive biological characterization of a lead compound. Results: We have discovered a lead molecule (KCI807) that selectively disrupts ELK1-dependent promoter activation by wild-type and variant ARs without interfering with ELK1 activation by ERK. KCI807 has an obligatory flavone scaffold and functional hydroxyl groups on C5 and C3'. KCI807 binds to AR, blocking ELK1 binding, and selectively blocks recruitment of AR to chromatin by ELK1. KCI807 primarily affects a subset of AR target growth genes selectively suppressing AR-dependent growth of PC cell lines with a better inhibitory profile than enzalutamide. KCI807 also inhibits in vivo growth of castration/enzalutamide-resistant cell line-derived and patient-derived tumor xenografts. In the rodent model, KCI807 has a plasma half-life of 6h and maintenance of its antitumor effect is limited by self-induced metabolism at its 3'-hydroxyl. Conclusions: The results offer a mechanism-based therapeutic paradigm for disrupting the AR growth-promoting axis in the spectrum of prostate tumors while reducing global suppression of testosterone actions. KCI807 offers a good lead molecule for drug development

Prevalence and Characteristics Associated With Post-COVID-19 Condition Among Nonhospitalized Adolescents and Young Adults

Importance: The prevalence and baseline risk factors of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) remain unresolved among the large number of young people who experienced mild COVID-19. Objectives: To determine the point prevalence of PCC 6 months after the acute infection, to determine the risk of development of PCC adjusted for possible confounders, and to explore a broad range of potential risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included nonhospitalized individuals from 2 counties in Norway between ages 12 and 25 years who underwent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. At the early convalescent stage and at 6-month follow-up, participants underwent a clinical examination; pulmonary, cardiac, and cognitive functional testing; immunological and organ injury biomarker analyses; and completion of a questionnaire. Participants were classified according to the World Health Organization case definition of PCC at follow-up. Association analyses of 78 potential risk factors were performed. Exposures: SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main Outcomes and Measures: The point prevalence of PCC 6 months after RT-PCR testing in the SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative groups, and the risk difference with corresponding 95% CIs. Results: A total of 404 individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 105 individuals testing negative were enrolled (194 male [38.1%]; 102 non-European [20.0%] ethnicity). A total of 22 of the SARS-CoV-2-positive and 4 of the SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals were lost to follow-up, and 16 SARS-CoV-2-negative individuals were excluded due to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the observational period. Hence, 382 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants (mean [SD] age, 18.0 [3.7] years; 152 male [39.8%]) and 85 SARS-CoV-2-negative participants (mean [SD] age, 17.7 [3.2] years; 31 male [36.5%]) could be evaluated. The point prevalence of PCC at 6 months was 48.5% in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group and 47.1% in the control group (risk difference, 1.5%; 95% CI, -10.2% to 13.1%). SARS-CoV-2 positivity was not associated with the development of PCC (relative risk [RR], 1.06; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.37; final multivariable model utilizing modified Poisson regression). The main risk factor for PCC was symptom severity at baseline (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.27-1.56). Low physical activity (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00) and loneliness (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02) were also associated, while biological markers were not. Symptom severity correlated with personality traits. Conclusions and Relevance: The persistent symptoms and disability that characterize PCC are associated with factors other than SARS-CoV-2 infection, including psychosocial factors. This finding raises questions about the utility of the World Health Organization case definition and has implications for the planning of health care services as well as for further research on PCC

The effect of cigarette smoke exposure on the development of inflammation in lungs, gut and joints of TNFΔARE mice

The inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha is a central mediator in many immune-mediated diseases, such as Crohn's disease (CD), spondyloarthritis (SpA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Epidemiologic studies have shown that cigarette smoking (CS) is a prominent common risk factor in these TNF-dependent diseases. We exposed TNF Delta ARE mice; in which a systemic TNF-alpha overexpression leads to the development of inflammation; to 2 or 4 weeks of air or CS. We investigated the effect of deregulated TNF expression on CS-induced pulmonary inflammation and the effect of CS exposure on the initiation and progression of gut and joint inflammation. Upon 2 weeks of CS exposure, inflammation in lungs of TNF Delta ARE mice was significantly aggravated. However, upon 4 weeks of CS-exposure, this aggravation was no longer observed. TNF Delta ARE mice have no increases in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and a diminished neutrophil response in the lungs after 4 weeks of CS exposure. In the gut and joints of TNF Delta ARE mice, 2 or 4 weeks of CS exposure did not modulate the development of inflammation. In conclusion, CS exposure does not modulate gut and joint inflammation in TNF Delta ARE mice. The lung responses towards CS in TNF Delta ARE mice however depend on the duration of CS exposure