The behavior of rotator cuff tendon cells in three-dimensional culture

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-41).The rotator cuff is composed of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subcapularis, and teres minor tendons. Rotator cuff injuries are common athletic and occupational injuries that surgery cannot fully repair. Therefore tendon tissue engineering can provide alternatives to surgical solutions. Tendons are composed of parallel lines of bundles of collagen fibers and fibroblasts called fascicles and a glycoprotein, superficial zone protein (SZP), which is expressed by the gene, proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) may play a role in joint and intrafascicular lubrication. Studies have shown that a smooth muscle actin isoform (SMA), which plays a role in the contraction of smooth muscle cells, is expressed in the rotator cuff tendon cells. Previous investigations have been conducted to study PRG4 expression and distribution in different regions of the infraspinatus (ISP) tendon. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of adult goat ISP tendon cells and bovine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) cultured in three-dimensional pellets in chondrogenic (CM), expansion (EM), and tenogenic media(TM).(cont.) The focus was on the effects of such growth factors as TGF-[beta]1 and hormones such as dexamethasone and various culture methods, such as the use of 96-well plates and 15 ml tubes, on the ISP tendon cells' and BMSCs' cell proliferation, chondrogenesis, and expression of PRG4 and SMA. ISP tendon cells and BMSCs were obtained from five adult Spanish goats ranging. After 14 days, the pellet cultures were analyzed using Safranin-O staining and immunohistochemical staining for SZP and SMA. The biochemical contents of the cell pellet cultures were also evaluated using a DNA assay on days 0 and 14 and a GAG assay on day 14. It was found that CM, containing TGF-[beta]1 and dexamethasone, induced the most cell proliferation and chondrogenesis. SZP was expressed in all of the ISP tendon cells pellet cultures that were cultured in tubes. In comparison to the larger CM-pellets, the ISP tendon and BMSC EM- and TM- pellets cultured in tubes had higher percentages of SMA present. However SMA was also expressed in the CM-pellets cultured in the 96-well plates.(cont.) The results of our study showed that environmental differences can change SMA expression. Further investigations on tendon cells and the effects of growth factors, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and culture methods on the cell proliferation, chondrogenesis, and SZP and SMA expression need to be conducted.by Harmeet Gill.S.B

Review of K Mean and Fuzzy Clustering Algorithm

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns in large data sets. It has attracted a lot of attention from various industries and researchers for critical decision making and development. Researchers has proposed a number of algorithms have been proposed in past for clustering of data as data mining techniques. There are multiple techniques of mining relevant information from existing databases. K-Means is most common used algorithm for clustering. Multiple versions of K-Means have been proposed with different improvements. In this paper, we will review few data clustering techniques

Assessing the Impact of Awareness program on Breast and Cervical Cancer Knowledge Empowerment among Working Women in Education Sector

According to GLOBOCAN 2012 data released in December 2013 there are more than 10 lakh cancer cases per annum in India. The Incidence of breast cancer is growingin younger and elder women population worldwide. In India, the incidence of breast cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. The cervix cancer incidence is also very high in India especially in rural Indian women. The earlier studies have shown that raising the awareness regarding these two cancers can go long way as these are the progressive cancers and if women are made aware to get the diagnostic tests done regularly then there is more probability of getting the small tumors diagnosed early, which can be treated effectively and cure rate can be better. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the impact of awareness program on breast and cervical cancer knowledge empowerment among working women in education sector. Quasi experimental pretestpost test design was used on the sample of 110 working women which were selected by simple random sampling technique. A self reported questionnaire on knowledge assessment regarding breast and cervical cancer was prepared and validated. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents to measure their baseline pre test knowledge regarding breast and cervical cancer. After the pre test, information on breast and cervical cancer was sent to all the respondents through e-mail which included the information on risk factors, sign and symptoms, diagnostic tests, early detection and risk prevention aspects. After three days, post test was conducted to measure the impact of information on knowledge empowerment of respondents. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16.0 version. The study finding revealed that baseline knowledge of working women regarding breast and cervical cancer was inadequate. The knowledge of respondents improved significantly after sensitizing them through the information on breast and cervical cancer.The present study revealed that knowledge of breast and cervical cancer is astonishingly inadequate among educated and working women, which gives an insight to healthcare personnel to sensitize the women to take measures such as self breast examination, getting mammography and Pap smear tests done to detect these two deadly cancers at early stages. Therefore, there is need for organizing awareness programs at national, community and individual levels so that women can become aware regarding preventive aspects and early diagnostic techniques so that these cancers can be curbed before occurrence and at an early stage

Assessing the Prevalence of Dyslipidemia in Apparently Healthy Urban Obese Adults Residing in South Delhi, India

The present research study was conducted to assess the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia in apparently healthy urban obese adults residing in South Delhi. Dyslipidemia and obesity are two prominent contributing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 apparently healthy obese adults with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2. Data regarding the socio-demographic characteristics as well as anthropometric parameters were collected. To evaluate serum lipid levels fasting blood samples were collected by trained technicians and analysis was carried out in a certified laboratory. Dyslipidemia was defined as the presence of hypercholesterolemia, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and /or lower concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), present alone or in combination. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was noted to be 78%. The prevalence was observed to be much higher in the obese female subjects (81.43%) than the obese males (75%). Mean triglycerides levels were significantly higher in the obese men than females while, HDL–C levels were higher in the female subjects (p<0.05). Further, it was seen that low concentration of HDL was the most prevailing deranged lipid parameter (52.67%) followed by elevated triglycerides levels (49.33%) and elevated LDL levels (39.33%) in these obese adults. The study thus highlights the importance of regular and timely screening for apparently healthy populations. Advocating suitable and timely medical and dietary interventions can help in both monitoring and avoiding further health-related complications

Dynamic Fracture Toughness of Polymer Composites

Polymer composites are engineered materials widely being used and yet not completely understood for their dynamic response. It is important to fully characterize material properties before using them for applications in critical industries, like that of defense or transport. In this project, the focus is on determining dynamic fracture toughness property of fiber reinforced polymer composites by using a combined numerical- experimental methodology. Impact tests are conducted on Split-Hopkinson pressure bar with required instrumentation to obtain load-history and initiation of crack propagation parameters followed by finite element analysis to determine desired dynamic properties. Single edge notch bend(SENB) type geometry is used for Mode-I fracture testing and similarly end-notched flexure (ENF) type of geometry is proposed to test the samples for Mode-II type of fracture. Two different linear elastic fracture mechanics approaches are used- crack opening displacement and strain energy release rates. Dynamic fracture toughness values of around 50 MPa[square root of m] and 100 MPa[square root of m] in Mode-I, whereas, around 40 MPa[square root of m] and 6 MPa[square root of m] in Mode-II are observed for carbon-epoxy and fiberglass-epoxy composites respectively. To provide a better estimate of material response, Hashin damage model is employed which takes into account non-linear behavior of composites. As observed in previous studies, values estimated using a non-linear response of composite laminates are nearly three times as high, therefore, using a linear elastic material model could underestimate a material's capacity to sustain dynamic loads without failure. It is concluded that fracture initiation toughness property is rate dependent and is higher when subjected to dynamic loads. Microscopic examination of damaged samples and a higher value of dynamic fracture toughness for fiberglass-epoxy laminates as compared to carbon-epoxy laminates suggest that dynamic fracture toughness is also a function of many other variables like mode of fracture, dominant damage criteria, manufacturing process, constituent materials and their ratios

Identification & Analysis of Parameters for Program Quality Improvement: A Reengineering Perspective

The nature of software development is very dynamic and more complex by the perspective of reengineering or further program maintenances so the developed programs must be flexible, reusable and more scalable and which will be possible by the optimum quality parameters satisfaction. Having these issues in concern the software development houses trying to find out some established, usable methods to improve the quality of programs, the work presented in this paper is to identify, describe and analyze various parameters for quality which can affect the productivity and reusability of the software program and its future maintenance in form of reengineering. The work presented also analyzes the literature, previous research with different aspects and issues, and discussed its affects on present quality of the program because it is necessary to consider the potential impact on other requirements when designing a program to meet quality parameters requirements. Quality parameters are the overall factors that affect run-time behavior, system design, and user experience because many of these parameters are major concern to the program design and architecture, and also applied to establish  program functionality, reusability, performance, reliability, and security which indicates the success of the design and the overall quality of the program and its application, integration. Keywords: AOSD, DoD, FURPS,LOC,Parameters

Cis-regulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): implications for new therapies

HNSCC is the sixth most common cancer in the world and over the last decade its genetic landscape has been extensively investigated. However, due to the heterogenic nature of HNSCC tumours, which is complicated by HPV infection, the effectiveness of current therapies and the development of new therapies have been hindered. In this thesis, by using a combination of genome-wide methods, the cis-regulatory network was investigated in HNSCC cell lines and compared to non-tumourigenic primary oral cells. The analyses revealed a common core regulatory network shared by both the HNSCC and non-tumourigenic cells. The network included pathways, which have previously been found to promote HNSCC such as the EGFR, MAPK, TGF-b and WNT pathways. A novel finding was the involvement of the Hippo pathway and its transcription factor effector, TEAD4. The network appears to be driven primarily by the p63-AP1-TEAD4 transcription factors and in conjunction with the mentioned pathways, appears to form the underlying network required for epithelial function but also holds the potential to become deregulated, leading to HNSCC. Disruption of Hippo-driven gene transcription can reduce HNSCC cell viability therefore pointing to potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms to elucidate HNSCC function

Cleidocranial dysplasia: Radiological mimic of pyknodysostosis – A case report

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal disorder with predominant membranous bone involvement. It may also occur as a sporadic mutation. The diagnosis of this condition is based on the clinical, radiological and genetic findings. It is characterised by hypoplasia or aplasia of the lateral thirds of the clavicles; craniofacial and dental anomalies; and hypoplastic iliac bones. Pyknodysostosis is a close radiological mimic of this entity. Definite diagnosis is based on the genetic analysis. A 36-year-old short-statured female was referred for computed tomography of the paranasal regions for complaints of a deviated nasal septum and midline depression in her forehead. Skeletal screening demonstrated an open metopic suture, wormian bones, maxillary hypoplasia, maldentition and aplastic lateral thirds of both clavicles. In this article, we report a case of CCD, discuss various overlapping features between CCD and pyknodysostosis and attempt to differentiate them radiologically

Successful Early Non-Operative Management of Congenital Knee Dislocation: Demonstration via a Case Report

Congenital knee dislocation (CKD) is a deformity in which unnatural hyperextension is possible at the knee much beyond the normal 0° full extension while the flexion is severely restricted. Incidence of this rare congenital malformation is 1/100,000 live births. We present a clinical case of unilateral CKD in a 2-week-old female child and our approach of treatment using serial casting. We have been able to demonstrate that if initiated early, within first few weeks of life, the congenital deformity of knee can be managed conservatively without any surgical intervention even in higher grades