Non-Directional Conjugation of Fluorescent Antibodies to Gold Nanoparticles for Stem Cell Therapy

The objective of this study was to design citrate-coated gold nanoparticles conjugated with FITC-IgG, a fluorescent antibody, and to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the resulting fluorescent emission. Optical properties of the gold nanoparticles were measured at various stages to provide evidence of successful conjugation. The absorbance spectrum of the citrate gold nanoparticles was compared to that of the reaction mixture containing the gold nanoparticles and the FITC-IgG. A noticeable broadening of the absorption peak was observed at 519 nm indicating a surface modification of the gold nanoparticles. Fluorescence data was obtained with a fluorospectrometer and revealed a significant amount of fluorescent quenching in the reaction mixture as well as the washed mixture containing only fully conjugated molecules. However, the conjugated nanoparticles still emitted fluorescence at 519 nm as shown by the images captured under confocal microscopy. Based on the obtained optical densities of the reaction mixture and the FITC-IgG, the mass of molecules that were conjugated to the nanoparticles was calculated and determined to be approximately 24 FITC-IgG molecules per gold nanoparticle

An enhancement and improvement of a prototype distributed system based on elements of an integration architecture

The concepts and results presented in this thesis are related to Integrated System Development. It provides introduction to Generic System Integration Framework (GenSIF). And hence its three principal components, Domain Analysis, Integration Architectures and Enabling Technology. It addresses certain issues of distributed processing relating to systems integration. The primary objective of this thesis is to develop/improve a prototype by applying concepts and ideas presented in GenSIF, with an example channel based building block integration architecture as an example. This prototype was developed with the objective of studying the effect of system intregration framework in mind while working on an application. It would help in comparing the traditional software life cycle with the life cycle of software development under the effect of the framework. Sun RPC implementation of Remote Procedure Calling technique has beenused to realize the integration of physically distributed prototypes of a system/subsystem(s). Advantages and disadvantages of using RPCs have also been presented. This work also looks into another communication fabric, viz. ANSA, to analyze its feasibility for use in systems integration

The role of microRNAs in the endometrium

Decidualization of the endometrium is essential for successful pregnancy and in human females of reproductive age, it occurs every month following the post-ovulatory rise in progesterone levels. The decidualization of primary human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) can be recapitulated by treatment with cAMP and progestins, which results in changes in gene expression that give rise to phenotypes that favour implantation and survival of the conceptus. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a diverse class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and have important roles in many biological processes. Expression profiling revealed several miRNAs to be regulated during decidualization, and alterations in miRNA pathway components were also found. Although induction of Dicer suggested increased capacity to produce mature miRNAs, endogenous miRNA silencing became restricted upon decidualization of hESCs due to the down-regulation of the Argonaute proteins, catalytic components of the RNAinduced silencing complex. This was reflected in the regulation of miRNA target genes, which only appeared to be subject to miRNA-dependent regulation in undifferentiated hESCs. Moreover, the regulation of the androgen receptor (AR), a nuclear hormone receptor known to modulate the expression of a subset of decidual genes, was not dependent on miRNAs during decidualization. Rather, an RNA binding protein, poly(C)- binding protein 1 (PCBP1), regulated AR expression in hESCs during decidualization and in LNCaP cells. Additionally, decidualizing hESCs export miRNAs in exosome-sized vesicles that can be taken up by a variety of cells, including trophoblast and vascular cells, representing a novel mode of communication that may coordinate responses across different cell types at the feto-maternal interface

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome arising from an Enteroatmospheric Fistula

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) is a rare, life-threatening condition that is characterized by profound thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, elevated partial thromboplastin time, and may also be associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. It is well established that this phenomenon is notably associated with the vascular tumors kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma; however, recent literature has suggested its presence in the settings of various vascular malformations (i.e. without neoplastic proliferation of endothelial cells). This report focuses on a patient in the first year of life, who experienced a chronic, consumptive coagulopathy in the setting of a highly vascular enteroatmospheric fistula. Sharing many features with the aforementioned syndrome, this anomaly suggests a novel association of the Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon with a unique vascular malformation. Although potentially lethal, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome can resolve with appropriate diagnosis and management; uncovering new associations can help to improve recognition and treatment in future cases

A study to assess functional outcome of cemented and uncemented total hip replacement in a tertiary care center

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is the most successful and cost effective treatment with aim of pain relief and functional rehabilitation for hip disorders. As the implant designs of THR have evolved over time, the functional outcome and survivorship has improved. Even after so many advancements, it remains unclear that which implants are better, uncemented or cemented. Hence, we took up this study to analyze which of the uncemented or cemented THR have better functional outcome.Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted during 2014 to 2018. Hundred cases were randomized into groups of 50 each. All patients with age between 55-80 years in whom THR was indicated were included in the study. Uncemented THR was done in Group A and cemented THR was done in Group B. Patients were followed up at 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 3 years. At follow-up, functional examination in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris hip score (HHS) was done.Results: The mean age of patients in Group A (uncemented) and Group B (cemented) was 62.5 years and 60 years respectively. We found that the difference of VAS score and HHS between Group A and B was statistically significant at 12 weeks and 6 months. The difference of VAS and HHS scores between Group A and B at 12 months and 3 years was not significant.Conclusions: We conclude that cemented THR has better functional outcome at short term. They are cost effective option at age ≥55-60 years

Optimal Ordering policy in demand declining market under inflation when supplier credits linked to order quantity

In this research paper, a lot–size model is proposed when supplier offers the retailer a credit period to settle the account if the retailer orders a large quantity. The proposed study is meant for demand declining market. Here, the retailer needs to arrive at a static decision when demand of a product is decreasing and on the other side the supplier offer the credit period if the retailer orders for more than pre – specified quantity. Shortages are not allowed and the effect of inflation is incorporated. The objective to minimize the total cost in demand declining market under inflation when the supplier offers a credit period to the retailer if the ordered quantity is greater than or equal to pre – specified quantity. An easy – to – use flow chart is given to find the optimal replenishment time and the order quantity. The mathematical formulation is supported by a numerical example. The sensitivity analysis of parameters on the optimal solution is carried out

Occurrence of bronchial anthracofibrosis in respiratory symptomatics with exposure to biomass fuel smoke

  INTRODUCTION: Bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF), confirmed bronchoscopically, is characterised by bluish-black mucosal pigmentation and distortion/narrowing of the bronchus. We investigated the occurrence of BAF in respiratory symptomatics with biomass fuel smoke exposure and evaluated its clinico-radiological attributes and impact on functional status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of the eighty subjects evaluated, 60 consented for fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB). All 60 subjects also underwent chest radiography, high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax, complete pulmonary function testing including diffusion capacity and six-minute-walk test. Information regarding cardinal respiratory symptoms and duration of biomass fuel smoke exposure was documented. FOB evaluation revealed that 24 patients had BAF (Group 1), 17 had bronchial anthracosis (Group 2) and 19 had normal appearance (Group 3). RESULTS: Group 1 patients had significantly higher biomass fuel smoke exposure (p < 0.0001), lower mean post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC values (P = 0.02) and lower walk distance (p = 0.003) with greater desaturation. On HRCT, segmental collapse and consolidation were significantly higher in Group 1 while fibrotic lesions were the predominantly seen in Groups 2 and 3. A significant inverse correlation in Group 1 was seen between exposure index, six-minute-walk distance and spirometric parameters. In Group 1, the right middle lobe (RML) bronchus was most commonly involved (15/24 [62.5%]). In Group 2, RML and left upper lobe bronchi were affected in 8/17 (47.1%) patients each. CONCLUSIONS: All patients in our study were females. Those with BAF had poorer lung functions and functional status as compared to those with anthracosis only. On imaging, multifocal bronchial narrowing was specific to BAF.