3D printing in cardiology: A review of applications and roles for advanced cardiac imaging

With the rate of cardiovascular diseases in the U.S increasing throughout the years, there is a need for developing more advanced treatment plans that can be tailored to specific patients and scenarios. The development of 3D printing is rapidly gaining acceptance into clinical cardiology. In this review, key technologies used in 3D printing are briefly summarized, particularly, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), open-source tools like MeshLab and MeshMixer, and 3D printing techniques such as fused deposition molding (FDM) and polyjet are reviewed. The combination of 3D printing, multiple image integration, and augmented reality may greatly enhance data visualization during diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical procedures for cardiology

Genetic Variation of Flowering Trait in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Drought Stress at Vegetative and Reproductive Stages

A study was conducted under water stress in vegetative and reproductive growth stages at two locations (Shambat and Medani) in Sudan during the season (2003/2004). Genotypic and phenotypic variability, genetic advance and heritability in a broad sense were estimated in a split-plot layout within randomized complete block design with three replications. Fifteen genotypes of maize were used for the study.  Phenotypic correlation coefficient between grain yield and 25%, 50% and 95% of flowering trait anthesis and silking were evaluated. All flowering stages were found significant differences among the genotypes, except days to 95% anthesis. Significant differences among water treatments were observed for days to 25% silking at Medani. High heritability, genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance were exhibited by days to 25% silking. Grain yield was significantly and negatively associated with days to (50% and 95%) silking. Based on the results drought stress at vegetative and reproductive stages of maize results in a drastic reduction in grain yield, and flowering character would be the important selection, creation for maize improvement under drought stress. Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), Genetic variability, heritability, correlation, flowering, drought

Galactose and its Metabolites Deteriorate Metaphase II Mouse Oocyte Quality and Subsequent Embryo Development by Disrupting the Spindle Structure

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a frequent long-term complication of classic galactosemia. The majority of women with this disorder develop POI, however rare spontaneous pregnancies have been reported. Here, we evaluate the effect of D-galactose and its metabolites, galactitol and galactose 1-phosphate, on oocyte quality as well as embryo development to elucidate the mechanism through which these compounds mediate oocyte deterioration. Metaphase II mouse oocytes (n=240), with and without cumulus cells (CCs), were exposed for 4hours to D-galactose (2μM), galactitol (11μM) and galactose 1-phosphate (0.1mM), (corresponding to plasma concentrations in patients on galactoserestricted diet) and compared to controls. The treated oocytes showed decreased quality as a function of significant enhancement in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when compared to controls. The presence of CCs offered no protection, as elevated ROS was accompanied by increased apoptosis of CCs. Our results suggested that D-galactose and its metabolites disturbed the spindle structure and chromosomal alignment, which was associated with significant decline in oocyte cleavage and blastocyst development after in-vitro fertilization. The results provide insight into prevention and treatment strategies that may be used to extend the window of fertility in these patients

Pharmaceutical quality control studies on gatifloxacin 200 mg tablets available in the pakistani market

The aim of present work was to compare the quality of different brands of gatifloxacin 200 mg tablets, collected from different retail pharmacies in the local market of Pakistan. Five different brands were characterized by physical and chemical parameters such as, weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability, disintegration, dissolution, uniformity of contents and assay. Among them dissolution either single point or multiple point, including release profile comparison is most important tool for establishing the quality of the product. Brand A was considered as a reference because it passed all physical, chemical, quality control test and it was also brand leader, while brands B, C, D and E were test brands due to their production in local pharmaceutical. Quality control tests were satisfactory and within the limits for all test brands. The aim either biowaiver study of all the brands should conduct or not the similarity and difference among the brands were measured. Results revealed that brand B and D shown the best similarity with brand A and least differential value when we used the model independent f2 factor for similarity and f1 factor for difference. Model dependent methods Zero order, First order, Higuchi release model and Hixson-Crowell method were also used and shown the concentration dependent release of drug, i.e. first order kinetic. The results showed that model-dependent methods were more discriminative than model-independent method. A criterion for selecting the most appropriate model was based on linearity (coefficient of correlation).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Methyl 2-(N-methoxy­carbonyl­meth­yl-N-methylsulfamo­yl)benzoate

In the title compound, C12H15NO6S, the aromatic ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 64.76 (11) and 56.42 (13)° with respect to the planar methyl ester unit and the SO2 group, respectively. The dihedral angle between the SO2 group and the planar methoxy­carbonyl­methyl group is 50.42 (14)°. Intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding results in the formation of an eight-membered ring. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules

Factors Determining Pakistani Medical Students\u27 Career Preference for General Practice Residency Training.

Background Few studies have explored factors affecting preference of medical students towards general practice as a career choice. We conducted a survey in Karachi across various public and private sector medical colleges to examine factors associated with students’ general practice career aspirations in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods From January to March 2018, we distributed a 21-item questionnaire to final year medical students in eight medical schools. The survey asked students about their top three career preferences from 19 specialty fields, their demographics and their career priorities. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the effect of each item. Results A total of 1400 responses were obtained. The top five specialty fields chosen by students with their numbers were: internal medicine, 898 (64.2%); general practice, 337 (24.1%); pediatrics, 449 (32.1%); surgery, 380 (27.2%); and emergency medicine, 243 (17.4%). The “intent to inherit existing practice” and “other academic or professional experiences prior to medical school” had a positive association with choosing general practice while “having a physician parent’’ had a negative association among the medical students demographics after adjusting for other covariates in the multivariable logistic regression. Medical students who ranked “clinical diagnostic reasoning”, “community-oriented practice”, “involvement in preventive medicine”, and “frequent patient communication” as highly important were more likely to choose general practice, whereas, “access to advanced medical fields”, “mastering advanced procedures”, and “depth rather than breadth of practice” were less likely to be associated with general practice aspiration. Conclusion The study’s results depicted limited interest of family medicine as a career option in graduating students, and pointed out the factors that likely influence the choice of general practice as a career are clinical diagnostic reasoning, community-oriented practice and preventive medicine