Aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of missing teeth in growing patients with mini-implants: a contemporary approach

Growing patients with missing teeth in aesthetically prominent areas pose a challenge in restoration of the same. Fracture of anterior teeth in these age groups is very common and often requires removal of the affected tooth. After the decision to maintain the space in the dental arch is made, some other factors have to be borne in mind before restoration of the space. Continuing growth of the alveolar bones, questionable cooperation of the patient and aesthetics are deciding factors that may limit the treatment options. The effective use of mini-implants for space preservation, alveolar bone width maintenance and aesthetics represents an elective way of successfully treating such cases. The aim of this article is to describe as well as highlight the advantages and ease of the procedure with the help of two clinical cases

Robust generation of transgenic mice by simple hypotonic solution mediated delivery of transgene in testicular germ cells

Our ability to decipher gene sequences has increased enormously with the advent of modern sequencing tools, but the ability to divulge functions of new genes have not increased correspondingly. This has caused a remarkable delay in functional interpretation of several newly found genes in tissue and age specific manner, limiting the pace of biological research. This is mainly due to lack of advancements in methodological tools for transgenesis. Predominantly practiced method of transgenesis by pronuclear DNA-microinjection is time consuming, tedious, and requires highly skilled persons for embryo-manipulation. Testicular electroporation mediated transgenesis requires use of electric current to testis. To this end, we have now developed an innovative technique for making transgenic mice by giving hypotonic shock to male germ cells for the gene delivery. Desired transgene was suspended in hypotonic Tris-HCl solution (pH 7.0) and simply injected in testis. This resulted in internalization of the transgene in dividing germ-cells residing at basal compartment of tubules leading to its integration in native genome of mice. Such males generated transgenic progeny by natural mating. Several transgenic animals can be generated with minimum skill within short span of time by this easily adaptable novel technique

An efficient method for generating a germ cell depleted animal model for studies related to spermatogonial stem cell transplantation

Background: Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation (SSCT) has become important for conservation of endangered species, transgenesis and for rejuvenating testes which have lost germ cells (Gc) due to gonadotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy during the prepubertal phase of life. Creating a germ cell-depleted animal model for transplantation of normal or gene-transfected SSC is a prerequisite for such experimental studies. Traditionally used intraperitoneal injections of busulfan to achieve this are associated with painful hematopoietic toxicity and affects the wellbeing of the animals. Use of testicular busulfan has been reported recently to avoid this but with a very low success rate of SSCT. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more efficient method to achieve higher SSCT without any suffering or mortality of the animals. Methods: A solution of busulfan, ranging from 25 μg/20 μl to 100 μg/20 μl in 50 % DMSO was used for this study. Each testis received two diagonally opposite injections of 10 μl each. Only DMSO was used as control. Germ cell depletion was checked every 15 days. GFP-expressing SSC from transgenic donor mice C57BL/6-Tg (UBC-GFP) 30Scha/J were transplanted into busulfan-treated testis. Two months after SSCT, mice were analyzed for presence of colonies of donor-derived SSC and their ability to generate offspring. Results: A dose of 75 μg of busulfan resulted in reduction of testis size and depletion of the majority of Gc of testis in all mice within 15 days post injection without causing mortality or a cytotoxic effect in other organs. Two months after SSCT, colonies of donor-derived Gc-expressing GFP were observed in recipient testes. When cohabitated with females, donor-derived offspring were obtained. By our method, 71 % of transplanted males sired transgenic progeny as opposed to 5.5 % by previously described procedures. About 56 % of progeny born were transgenic by our method as opposed to 1.2 % by the previously reported methods. Conclusions: We have established an efficient method of generating a germ cell-depleted animal model by using a lower dose of busulfan, injected through two diagonally opposite sites in the testis, which allows efficient colonization of transplanted SSC resulting in a remarkably higher proportion of donor-derived offspring generation

A non-surgical approach for male germ cell mediated gene transmission through transgenesis

Microinjection of foreign DNA in male pronucleus by in-vitro embryo manipulation is difficult but remains the method of choice for generating transgenic animals. Other procedures, including retroviral and embryonic stem cell mediated transgenesis are equally complicated and have limitations. Although our previously reported technique of testicular transgenesis circumvented several limitations, it involved many steps, including surgery and hemicastration, which carried risk of infection and impotency. We improved this technique further, into a two step non-surgical electroporation procedure, for making transgenic mice. In this approach, transgene was delivered inside both testes by injection and modified parameters of electroporation were used for in-vivo gene integration in germ cells. Using variety of constructs, germ cell integration of the gene and its transmission in progeny was confirmed by PCR, slot blot and immunohistochemical analysis. This improved technique is efficient, requires substantially less time and can be easily adopted by various biomedical researchers

A 40-Gbps fiber-FSO convergent transmission system employing OFCL-based WDM and external modulation technique

We have proposed and demonstrated a 40Gbps fiber-free space optics (FSO) convergent system based on external modulation and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique. In this experiment, 4010×4 Gbps signal is successfully transmitted employing WDM scheme over 50 km single mode fiber plus 2.5 km FSO distance. Optical frequency comb lines (OFCL) are generated using a continuous wave laser diode, a radio frequency signal generator, a dual drive Mach Zehnder modulator, and an electrical attenuator. OFC lines, having a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) value of ∼40 dB and flatness of ∼0.4 dB, are employed as broadband laser source in the presented convergent system. The performance of the fiber-FSO system is investigated theoretically for different weather conditions. Very low power penalty with low bit error rate (BER), clear eye diagrams, and standard Q-factor are achieved in the proposed system. The power penalty is restricted within 2.5 dB and 5.8 dB at a BER of 10−9 for 50 km SMF plus 2.5 km FSO distance in clear weather and 50-km SMF plus 0.4-km FSO distance in heavy fog condition respectively. Thus, the proposed WDM-convergent system is efficient enough for high data rate transmission along with low BER value of ∼10−9 and high Q-factor for different environmental scenarios

BSA-Capped Dual-Emissive Silver Nanoclusters for Detection of IO₄^– and Cu²⁺ Ions

Dual-emissive protein-capped metal nanoclusters are emerging nanoprobes for ratiometric sensing. Here, we report dual-emissive bovine serum albumin (BSA)-capped silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) with a blue emission band at 450 nm and a far-red emission band at 680 nm. The blue emission is attributed to the BSA capping, while the far-red emission originates from the AgNCs. The intensity ratio of the two bands is susceptible to the presence of IO4– and Cu2+, allowing selective detection of these analytes with a limit of detection (LOD) of 18.8 and 21.6 nM, respectively. These two analytes display different effects on the emission bands. The blue emission band increases with simultaneous diminution of the far-red band in the presence of IO4–; however, only the far-red emission band decreases in the presence of Cu2+ without altering the blue emission. Both the analytes manifested distinct visual changes in the emission color of the AgNCs solution under a UV lamp, which can also be evident from the shift of the Commission Internationale d’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates from (0.48, 0.32) to (0.18, 0.17) and (0.24, 0.25) for IO4– and Cu2+, respectively. IO4– induced a conformational change in BSA, intensifying the blue emission band along with a dynamic quenching of the AgNCs’ emission at 680 nm. In contrast, Cu2+ triggered only a metal exchange method-based quenching of the 680 nm emission with almost no effect on the BSA capping. A smartphone-based on-site detection of IO4– and Cu2+ was also achieved. Inspired by the contrasting fluorescence (Fl) response signals of AgNCs toward IO4– concentration, a simple logic gate circuit was constructed. This investigation will provide important insight into the one-pot synthesis of dual-emissive silver nanoclusters and the ratiometric detection mechanism of IO4– and Cu2+

A rare case of an elderly patient with incidentally diagnosed spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia

Spontaneous acquired diaphragmatic hernia is a rare finding, which occurs in the absence of any history of surgery or trauma. We report a rare case of incidentally diagnosed spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia in an elderly female who came in emergency department for pathological intertrochanteric fracture. She had left ventricular ejection fraction 35% and mild mitral regurgitation. Surgical repair of diaphragmatic hernia was planned. But she developed respiratory distress and was shifted to intensive care unit for stabilization. We are mentioning the successful management of this elderly female with diaphragmatic hernia. This case explains the importance of physical examination and various considerations in patients with diaphragmatic hernia and low ejection fraction

Evaluation of knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward emergency dental trauma management among the school teachers of Kolkata

Introduction: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are very common in childhood. Majority of TDI occur at home followed by schools. The prognosis of TDIs to a great extent is dependent on prompt emergency measures taken at the site of accident. Hence, it is of paramount importance to assess the knowledge of people present at the site of accident that generally includes parents, teachers, and sports coaches. Aim of Study: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of school teachers of Kolkata regarding management of TDIs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 400 school teachers of Kolkata over a period of 2 months using a pretested close-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire had three parts: Part 1 contained questions on personal information, Part 2 contained questions based on two imaginary cases of trauma, and Part 3 related to their attitude toward dental trauma education. Chi-square test was done to describe the strength of the associations. Results: : The overall knowledge of school teachers regarding management of TDIs was not found to be satisfactory. It was observed that most of the teachers were in favor of taking immediate professional consultation for the emergency management, but most of them were unaware of the steps to be taken on their part to minimize complications and improve prognosis. Conclusion: Despite the lack of knowledge and awareness regarding management of dental trauma, school teachers of Kolkata had a good attitude toward management of dental trauma and its education

Intensification of noise tolerance against Rayleigh backscattering for bidirectional 10 Gbps WDM-FSO network by employing dual band of OFDM signal

A noteworthy scheme to transport dual band 10 Gbps 16 quadrature amplitude modulated orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal for downlink and uplink channel over 55 km single mode fiber as well as 650-m free space is proposed and demonstrated. Moreover, noise tolerance against Rayleigh backscattering, that arises in bidirectional transmission system is enhanced as different bands of subcarrier are used for uplink and downlink transmission in our proposed system. Negligible power penalty (19 dB under FEC limit) marks the reliability of the proposed design. We observed that dual band subcarrier modulation scheme is able to decrease large power penalty (~8 dB) for total transmission link. The results from our proposed network makes it more potent to give an alternative platform with long reach, less noise, high data rate transmission which is the top most thirst to the upcoming generation

Exploring the major cross-talking edges of competitive endogenous RNA networks in human Chronic and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Human Chronic and Acute Myeloid Leukemia are myeloproliferative disorders in myeloid lineage of blood cells characterized by accumulation of aberrant white blood cells. In cancer, the anomalous transcriptome includes deregulated expression of non-coding RNAs in conjunction with protein-coding mRNAs in human genome. The coding or non-coding RNA transcripts harboring miRNA-binding sites can converse with and regulate each other by explicitly contending for a limited pool of shared miRNAs and act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). An unifying hypothesis attributing modulation of expression of transcripts in this fashion had been defined as competitive endogenous RNA hypothesis. Network built with ceRNAs evidently offers a platform to elucidate complex regulatory interactions at post-transcriptional level in human cancers. Methods: Contemplating cancers of human myeloid lineage we constructed ceRNA networks for CML and AML coding and non-coding repertoire utilizing patient sample data. Through functional enrichment analysis we selected the significant functional modules for transcripts being differentially expressed in Blastic phases of each cancer types with respect to Normal. After retrieving free energy of binding and duplex formation of shared miRNAs on ceRNAs, we performed statistical averaging of energy values over the ensemble of populations considering cellular system as in canonical (Iso-thermal) situation. Results and conclusions: We aimed to shed light on Sibling Rivalry in ceRNA partners from the perspective of statistical thermodynamics, identified major cross-talking tracks and ceRNAs influencing transcripts concerned in myeloid cancer systems. General significance: Insights into ceRNA-regulation will shed light on progression and prognosis of human Chronic and Acute Myeloid Leukemia.Funding Agencies|Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India [YSS/2015/000115]</p