Oral intake during labor and its effect on labor progression in Indian women at a tertiary care centre

Background: Assessment of the subjective perception of the women regarding satisfaction of oral intake during labor and the effect of oral intake on cervical dilatation rates and labor duration in low-risk laboring women. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from January 2021-July 2022 in a tertiary care hospital with 176 low risk laboring women. Satisfaction of oral intake in labor was assessed by a questionnaire post-delivery and the answers were analysed among various parous groups and were correlated with cervical dilatation rates in active and latent phase and duration of labor. Results: Based on the satisfaction of oral intake in labor, the patients were divided into very satisfied, satisfied, neutral and dissatisfied group. Only 6.7% of primigravidas and 25% of multigravidas were very satisfied with oral intake. Patients who were dissatisfied and not satisfied with oral intake had slower median rates of cervical dilation of 0.45 cm/hour and 1.25 cm/hour in latent and active phase respectively compared to the very satisfied group who had a rate of 0.5 cm/hour and 2.4 cm/hour in the latent and active phase in primigravidas. The mean duration of the first and second stage of labor was 15.5 hours and 50 minutes in the dissatisfied group which was prolonged compared to the patients who had very satisfied oral intake in labor with a duration of 9.6 hours and 30.8 minutes respectively among the primi-gravidas Conclusions: In primi-gravidas the cervical dilation rates were faster in the group who were very satisfied and satisfied with their oral intake compared to the group who were dissatisfied. The labor duration was also prolonged among the dissatisfied group

Monitoring edge-geodetic sets in graphs

We introduce a new graph-theoretic concept in the area of network monitoring. In this area, one wishes to monitor the vertices and/or the edges of a network (viewed as a graph) in order to detect and prevent failures. Inspired by two notions studied in the literature (edge-geodetic sets and distance-edge-monitoring sets), we define the notion of a monitoring edge-geodetic set (MEG-set for short) of a graph $G$ as an edge-geodetic set $S\subseteq V(G)$ of $G$ (that is, every edge of $G$ lies on some shortest path between two vertices of $S$) with the additional property that for every edge $e$ of $G$, there is a vertex pair $x, y$ of $S$ such that $e$ lies on \emph{all} shortest paths between $x$ and $y$. The motivation is that, if some edge $e$ is removed from the network (for example if it ceases to function), the monitoring probes $x$ and $y$ will detect the failure since the distance between them will increase. We explore the notion of MEG-sets by deriving the minimum size of a MEG-set for some basic graph classes (trees, cycles, unicyclic graphs, complete graphs, grids, hypercubes,...) and we prove an upper bound using the feedback edge set of the graph

GUDUCHI AS A RASAYANA IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES: A REVIEW

Disease is the outcome of combination of vitiated Dosha and Dooshya which happens when Vyadhikshamatwa (immunity) is decreased. Because of the lifestyle and changing environment, the immunity of people is decreasing day by day making them prone for getting afflicted with infectious diseases. The present day infectious diseases like Dengue, H1N1, AIDS, TB etc. are only due to lowered immunity. Rasayana is believed to promote the process of Dhatuposhana and enrich Ojas leading to Vyadhikshamatva. The concept of Rasayana therapy is a comprehensive and specialized regimen capable of producing healthful longevity and improved mental faculties by acting at the level of Rasa, Agni and the Srotas, thus enabling the organism to procure the best qualities of different Dhatus. Guduchi is considered one of the best Rasayanas and is unusual in its potent versatility. The significant actions of Guduchi include promoting Bala (cellular and humoral immunity), Agnideepana, cures fever, eliminates Ama (metabolic wastes and toxins), skin diseases, Upper respiratory tract infections, gout etc. It can be used as Swarasa, Kashaya, Satwa for internal use or as paste for external application in skin diseases to get the desirable effect. Guduchi is known to be a rich source of trace elements which act as antioxidants. It is apt to get the name Amrita because it itself can regenerate and can bring back the diseased cells to normalcy. So this article aims at making a public awareness of the use of Guduchi as a Rasayana in maintaining health and in the treatment of infectious diseases

Monitoring edge-geodetic sets in graphs

We introduce a new graph-theoretic concept in the area of network monitoring. In this area, one wishes to monitor the vertices and/or the edges of a network (viewed as a graph) in order to detect and prevent failures. Inspired by two notions studied in the literature (edge-geodetic sets and distance-edge-monitoring sets), we define the notion of a monitoring edge-geodetic set (MEG-set for short) of a graph $G$ as an edge-geodetic set $S\subseteq V(G)$ of $G$ (that is, every edge of $G$ lies on some shortest path between two vertices of $S$) with the additional property that for every edge $e$ of $G$, there is a vertex pair $x, y$ of $S$ such that $e$ lies on \emph{all} shortest paths between $x$ and $y$. The motivation is that, if some edge $e$ is removed from the network (for example if it ceases to function), the monitoring probes $x$ and $y$ will detect the failure since the distance between them will increase. We explore the notion of MEG-sets by deriving the minimum size of a MEG-set for some basic graph classes (trees, cycles, unicyclic graphs, complete graphs, grids, hypercubes,...) and we prove an upper bound using the feedback edge set of the graph

Extramedullary hematopoiesis as a ′clue′ to diagnosis of hepatoblastoma on fine needle aspiration cytology: A report of two cases

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) evidenced by erythropoietic cells and megakaryocytes is a characteristic feature of hepatoblastoma (HB). The typical cytomorphology, the presence of EMH and associated clinical and radiological findings offer a reliable diagnosis of hepatoblastoma by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). We describe the cytologic features of hepatoblastomas and discuss the differential diagnosis in two children, aged 53 days and 19 years. The usefulness of EMH in differentiating HB from other small round cell tumors and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cytology is highlighted

An Improved Link Prediction Approach for Directed Complex Networks Using Stochastic Block Modeling

Link prediction finds the future or the missing links in a social–biological complex network such as a friendship network, citation network, or protein network. Current methods to link prediction follow the network properties, such as the node’s centrality, the number of edges, or the weights of the edges, among many others. As the properties of the networks vary, the link prediction methods also vary. These methods are inaccurate since they exploit limited information. This work presents a link prediction method based on the stochastic block model. The novelty of our approach is the three-step process to find the most-influential nodes using the m-PageRank metric, forming blocks using the global clustering coefficient and, finally, predicting the most-optimized links using maximum likelihood estimation. Through the experimental analysis of social, ecological, and biological datasets, we proved that the proposed model outperforms the existing state-of-the-art approaches to link prediction

Unraveling the Intricate Organization of Mammalian Mitochondrial Presequence Translocases: Existence of Multiple Translocases for Maintenance of Mitochondrial Function

Mitochondria are indispensable organelles implicated in multiple aspects of cellular processes, including tumorigenesis. Heat shock proteins play a critical regulatory role in accurately delivering the nucleus-encoded proteins through membrane-bound presequence translocase (Tim23 complex) machinery. Although altered expression of mammalian presequence translocase components had been previously associated with malignant phenotypes, the overall organization of Tim23 complexes is still unsolved. In this report, we show the existence of three distinct Tim23 complexes, namely, B1, B2, and A, involved in the maintenance of normal mitochondrial function. Our data highlight the importance of Magmas as a regulator of translocase function and in dynamically recruiting the J-proteins DnaJC19 and DnaJC15 to individual translocases. The basic housekeeping function involves translocases B1 and B2 composed of Tim17b isoforms along with DnaJC19, whereas translocase A is nonessential and has a central role in oncogenesis. Translocase B, having a normal import rate, is essential for constitutive mitochondrial functions such as maintenance of electron transport chain complex activity, organellar morphology, iron-sulfur cluster protein biogenesis, and mitochondrial DNA. In contrast, translocase A, though dispensable for housekeeping functions with a comparatively lower import rate, plays a specific role in translocating oncoproteins lacking presequence, leading to reprogrammed mitochondrial functions and hence establishing a possible link between the TIM23 complex and tumorigenicity

Nanostructured scaffold as a determinant of stem cell fate

The functionality of stem cells is tightly regulated by cues from the niche, comprising both intrinsic and extrinsic cell signals. Besides chemical and growth factors, biophysical signals are important components of extrinsic signals that dictate the stem cell properties. The materials used in the fabrication of scaffolds provide the chemical cues whereas the shape of the scaffolds provides the biophysical cues. The effect of the chemical composition of the scaffolds on stem cell fate is well researched. Biophysical signals such as nanotopography, mechanical forces, stiffness of the matrix, and roughness of the biomaterial influence the fate of stem cells. However, not much is known about their role in signaling crosstalk, stem cell maintenance, and directed differentiation. Among the various techniques for scaffold design, nanotechnology has special significance. The role of nanoscale topography in scaffold design for the regulation of stem cell behavior has gained importance in regenerative medicine. Nanotechnology allows manipulation of highly advanced surfaces/scaffolds for optimal regulation of cellular behavior. Techniques such as electrospinning, soft lithography, microfluidics, carbon nanotubes, and nanostructured hydrogel are described in this review, along with their potential usage in regenerative medicine. We have also provided a brief insight into the potential signaling crosstalk that is triggered by nanomaterials that dictate a specific outcome of stem cells. This concise review compiles recent developments in nanoscale architecture and its importance in directing stem cell differentiation for prospective therapeutic applications

Protective Role of Decellularized Human Amniotic Membrane from Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Oxidative stress is an important cause for several retinal aging diseases. Cell therapy using a decellularized human amniotic membrane (dHAM) as a tissue scaffold for retinal pigment epithelial cells has a potential therapeutic role under such pathological conditions. This is attributed by the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, low-immunogenicity aspects of dHAM, apart from harboring a drug reservoir potential. The underlying mechanisms for maintaining the physiological properties of transplanted cells and their survival in a diseased milieu using dHAM has remained unexplored/unanswered. Hence, we investigated the potential role of dHAM in preserving the cellular functions of retinal pigment epithelium in an oxidative stress environment. Adult human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells were cultured on dHAM or tissue culture dishes under hyperoxia. Gene expression, immunofluorescence staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to assess the levels of reactive oxygen species, proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, phagocytosis, and secretion of vascular endothelial factors. These results indicate reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, generation of reactive oxygen species (p <= 0.0001), and apoptosis (p <= 0.05) in cells cultured on dHAM, compared to those on tissue culture dishes under oxidative stress conditions. Concomitantly, the secretion of the vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly reduced (p <= 0.01) on dHAM. Phagocytic activity was significantly higher (p <= 0.001) in cells cultured on dHAM and were comparable to those cells cultured on tissue culture dishes. SEM images showed a clustered growth pattern on dHAM compared to an elongated morphology when cultured on tissue culture dishes under oxidative stress conditions. These findings demonstrate the utility of dHAM as a scaffold for growing retinal epithelial cells and to maintain their physiological properties in an oxidative stress condition with a potential to develop regenerative medicine strategies to treat degenerative eye diseases