Decisive role of fluctuations in the resource dependency networks

Individual components of many real-world complex networks produce and exchange resources among themselves. However, because the resource production in such networks is almost always stochastic, fluctuations in the production are unavoidable. In this paper, we study the effect of fluctuations on the resource dependencies in complex networks. To this end, we consider a modification of a threshold model of resource dependencies in networks that was recently proposed, where each vertex can either be in a fit or a degraded state. We study how the "network fitness" is affected as the fluctuation size is varied. We show that, the relative value of the average production with respect to the threshold, decides whether the fluctuations are beneficial or detrimental to the network fitness. We further show that the networks with a homogeneous degree distribution, such as the Erdos-Renyi network, perform better in terms of fitness and also produce lower wastage than the Scale-Free network. Our work shows that, in the study of resource dependencies in networks, the role of the fluctuations is as decisive as the average production.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Graphene: a game changer in prosthodontics and implant dentistry

Graphene family nonmaterial, with supercilious mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, have grabbed attention on the path of researches seeking newer materials for future biomedical applications. Although potential applications of graphene had been highly reviewed in other fields of medicine, especially for their antibacterial properties and tissue regenerative capacities, in vivo and in vitro studies related to prosthodontics are very limited. Therefore, based on current knowledge and latest progress, this article aimed to present the recent achievements and provide a literature review on potential uses and applications of graphene that could be converted into clinical reality in prosthodontics

Silymarin Loaded Novel Drug Delivery for Oral and Topical Administration

Silymarin is polyphenolic flavonoid obtained from the seeds of silybum marianum plant. It has various pharmacological properties such as hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, hypolipidemic properties. Silymarin has recently reported to be neuroprotective agent against neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer, Parkinson’s and cerebral ischemia. It contains eight active components, among which silibinin is the most active component. However, silymarin is BCS class II drug which having poor bioavailability due to extensive phase II metabolism, poor aqueous solubility, low permeability across intestinal epithelial cells and rapid excretion in bile and urine.  Therefore, it is necessary to understand all formulations and analytical aspects including all possible future prospects. In this review a potential approach to enhance solubility, bioavailability and to develop a robust formulation is studied. The number of studies describes novel drug delivery system (NDDS) based formulations have been significantly increased. The raise in novel drug delivery exploitation is essentially due to defeated barriers within technological process of lipid based nanoparticles formulations and increased knowledge of underlying mechanisms of transport of NDDS via different route of administration. This review focuses on pharmacological properties of silymarin, challenges, benefits and application of novel drug delivery system. To reduce the adverse effects and toxicities novel drug delivery will be an attractive approach of current therapies. Keywords: Silymarin, route of administration, novel drug delivery, bioavailability, solubilit

Enhanced production of amidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis MTCC 1526 by medium optimisation using a statistical experimental design

In the present work, statistical experimental methodology was used to enhance the production of amidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis MTCC 1526. R. erythropolis MTCC 1526 was selected through screening of seven strains of Rhodococcus species. The Placket-Burman screening experiments suggested that sorbitol as carbon source, yeast extract and meat peptone as nitrogen sources, and acetamide as amidase inducer are the most influential media components. The concentrations of these four media components were optimised using a face-centred design of response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum medium composition for amidase production was found to contain sorbitol (5 g/L), yeast extract (4 g/L), meat peptone (2.5 g/L), and acetamide (12.25 mM). Amidase activities before and after optimisation were 157.85 units/g dry cells and 1,086.57 units/g dry cells, respectively. Thus, use of RSM increased production of amidase from R. erythropolis MTCC 1526 by 6.88-fold

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in apparently healthy schoolchildren in India: a multi-center study

Background: Hypertension in children is often under recognized, especially in developing countries. Data from rural areas of developing countries is particularly lacking. Objectives: To study prevalence of hypertension and its determinants in apparently health school children from predominantly rural populations of India. Methods: Apparently healthy schoolchildren (n = 14,957) aged 5–15 years (mean (standard deviation) age 10.8 (2.8) years; 55.5% boys) at four predominantly rural sites in separate states of India were studied. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded by trained staff in addition to age, gender, height, weight, type of school and season. Waist circumference was also recorded in 12,068 children. Geographic location and type of school (government, government-aided or private) were used to determine socio-economic status. Results: Systolic and/or diastolic hypertension was present in 3443 (23%) children. Systolic hypertension was present in 13.6%, diastolic hypertension in 15.3% and both in 5.9%. Isolated systolic hypertension was present in 7.7% while isolated diastolic hypertension was present in 9.4%. On univariate analysis, age, gender, geographical location, socio-economic status, season and anthropometric parameters (z-scores of height, weight and waist circumference, waist/height ratio and body mass index) were all significantly related to risk of hypertension (p < 0.0001 for each). Similar association was observed with weight group (normal, overweight and obese). Multiple regression analysis showed lower age, female gender, richer socio-economic status, certain geographical locations, higher weight and larger waist circumference to be independently associated with a greater risk of hypertension. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of hypertension in apparently healthy schoolchildren even in predominantly rural areas of India. Screening and management programs targeted to high risk groups identified may prove cost-effective

Cardiac catheterization in children with pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease:Consensus statement from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute, Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Task Forces

Cardiac catheterization is important in the diagnosis and risk stratification of pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease (PHVD) in children. Acute vasoreactivity testing provides key information about management, prognosis, therapeutic strategies, and efficacy. Data obtained at cardiac catheterization continue to play an important role in determining the surgical options for children with congenital heart disease and clinical evidence of increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Task Forces of the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute met to develop a consensus statement regarding indications for, conduct of, acute vasoreactivity testing with, and pitfalls and risks of cardiac catheterization in children with PHVD. This document contains the essentials of those discussions to provide a rationale for the hemodynamic assessment by cardiac catheterization of children with PHVD.</p

Cardiac catheterization in children with pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease:Consensus statement from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute, Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Task Forces

Cardiac catheterization is important in the diagnosis and risk stratification of pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease (PHVD) in children. Acute vasoreactivity testing provides key information about management, prognosis, therapeutic strategies, and efficacy. Data obtained at cardiac catheterization continue to play an important role in determining the surgical options for children with congenital heart disease and clinical evidence of increased pulmonary vascular resistance. The Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Task Forces of the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute met to develop a consensus statement regarding indications for, conduct of, acute vasoreactivity testing with, and pitfalls and risks of cardiac catheterization in children with PHVD. This document contains the essentials of those discussions to provide a rationale for the hemodynamic assessment by cardiac catheterization of children with PHVD.</p