GLOBAL RESEARCH TRENDS IN ENTOMOLOGY DURING 2012 – 2016: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

The present study explores the quantum of productivity in the field of Entomology. For this study, the data were downloaded from the ‘Web of Science Core Collection’ database and there were 1671 records contributed globally level over a period of five years i.e. 2012-2016. The study contributes to the different aspects of Entomology research, such as year wise distribution, country wise, authorship pattern, the degree of collaboration, and most prolific authors etc. The highest number of records was published in the year 2016, while lowest numbers of records was published in 2012. The doubling time for publications at the decreased level has been computed during 2013 - 2016. The frequency occurrence of words among the publications revealed that the word ‘Diptera’ is found more with 276 (16.5%). Lotka\u27s law with regard to author productivity of Entomology research output was applied. It could be seen that the proportion of all output based on single contribution is important. The total numbers of publications in entomology with collaboration among the top 10 countries are presented. Largest contribution of USA was 307 (18.4%), followed by South Korea with 264 (15.8%)

Does fentanyl prolong the analgesia of local anaesthetics in brachial plexus block? A randomized controlled study

Background: Several adjuvants have been added to enhance the effects of local anaesthetic agents in peripheral nerve blocks. In this randomized controlled study we aimed to assess the effects of addition of fentanyl to local anaesthetics in brachial plexus block with respect to onset time and total duration of analgesia.Methods: In this prospective randomized double- blind study, 40 adult patients of 18-65 years age group were randomly divided into two groups of 20 each. In group L supracavicular brachial plexus block was performed with 30 ml of local anaesthetic solution (10 ml 1.5% lignocaine with adrenaline +20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine) +1ml saline whereas in group LF received the same 30 ml local anaesthetics with 50µg fentanyl in 1ml added to it. The characteristics of block with respect to onset time of sensory and motor blockade, total duration of analgesia and any side effects were evaluated.Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to demographic parameters and duration of surgery. The onset time of complete sensory and motor block was significantly prolonged in group LF (17.2±2.5min and 20.3±2.9min) compared to group L (13.7±3.6min and 17.45±3.7min). The total duration of analgesia was also significantly prolonged (P <0.001) in group LF (374.5±51min) compared to group L (239.25±40.27min). There were no significant side effects noted in any patients in both groups.Conclusions: Addition of fentanyl to local anesthetics in brachial plexus block significantly prolonged the duration of analgesia without any significant side effects though it had delayed the onset of block

Clinical pathological and epidemiological study of triple negative breast cancer

Background: Worldwide breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed life threatening cancer in women and a leading cause of cancer death among women. In Kerala, India around 30% of cancer-affected women have carcinoma breast. Breast carcinomas which do not express estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) receptors are known as triple negative breast carcinomas (TNBC). They are extremely aggressive with poor prognosis. Here the authors described the clinical pathological and epidemiological characters of triple negative breast carcinomas in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, India and compare with non-TNBC.Methods: It was a cross sectional comparative study. Clinical, pathological and epidemiological characteristics of 75 cases of TNBC were compared with that of 225 cases of non-TNBC presented in Department of General Surgery, Government medical college, Kozhikode, Kerala, India between a period from March 2014 to October 2015 (20 months). Patients were recruited after obtaining an informed consent. ER, PR, HER-2/neu status were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Triple negative breast carcinoma was significantly associated with a younger age (mean age 43.67 years), early age of menarche. Commonly seen in premenopausal age group (78.7%). Patients with the triple-negative carcinoma had relatively large tumors (mean size 4.45cm compared to 3.14cm) and a high rate of node positivity (86.67%). More advanced stage at diagnosis with high grade tumor characteristics. Most common histopathology was invasive ductal carcinoma (98.7%) but no statistical difference was noted with non-TNBC.Conclusions: No significant difference was noted between TNBC and non TNBC on comparing family history, parity, age at 1st child birth, OCP use. The outcome of the disease following treatment was unable to study due to short time frame of the study

Research Productivity in Human Genetics during 2014 – 2018: A Scientometric Approach

An attempt is made for bringing out the growth of literature on human genetics. Web of Science database has been used to retrieve the data of five years (2014-2018) by searching a keyword “Human Genetics in the combined topics, abstract and keywords fields. The scientometric tools and techniques such as document type, year wise distributions, language, and country wise distribution are used for measuring the outputs. Findings of the study indicate that more than 1966 (20.51%) research articles were published in the year 2016. English was the dominant language with 9393 (97.9%) followed by German with 71(0.7%). For the contributing top ten most productive countries, USA topped the list with 46.8%, followed by UK (12.9%), and China (10.1%). The frequency occurrence of words among the publications revealed that the word ‘Human’ is largely found with 1545 (16.1%) and followed by a word ‘genetics’ which occurred in 1389 (14.5%) publications. The results of Straight-line Equation and Time Series Analysis predict future trend of growth of research outputs in human genetics to reach 6374 research papers in the year 2034

Yield forecasting in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantations under intensive management

A study was undertaken to develop a model for forecasting the yield in cardamom plantations under intensive management. Thirteen biometrical characters namely tillers per clump, tiller height leaves per tiller, vegetative buds per clump, bearing tillers per clump, panicles per clump, panicle length, racemes per panicle, capsules per raceme, seeds per capsule, leaf length, leaf breadth and recovery percentage were chosen as explana tory variables and they exhibited a precision of about 82%. Step down regression resulted in the retention of only four characters namely, panicles per clump, racemes per panicle, capsules per raceme and leaf breadth with which yield can be estimated with around 77% precision. &nbsp

RHPS4 G-quadruplex ligand induces anti-proliferative effects in brain tumor cells

Background Telomeric 3’ overhangs can fold into a four-stranded DNA structure termed G-quadruplex (G4), a formation which inhibits telomerase. As telomerase activation is crucial for telomere maintenance in most cancer cells, several classes of G4 ligands have been designed to directly disrupt telomeric structure. Methods We exposed brain tumor cells to the G4 ligand 3,11-difluoro-6,8,13-trimethyl-8H-quino[4,3,2-kl]acridinium methosulfate (RHPS4) and investigated proliferation, cell cycle dynamics, telomere length, telomerase activity and activated c-Myc levels. Results Although all cell lines tested were sensitive to RHPS4, PFSK-1 central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal cells, DAOY medulloblastoma cells and U87 glioblastoma cells exhibited up to 30-fold increased sensitivity compared to KNS42 glioblastoma, C6 glioma and Res196 ependymoma cells. An increased proportion of S-phase cells were observed in medulloblastoma and high grade glioma cells whilst CNS PNET cells showed an increased proportion of G1-phase cells. RHPS4-induced phenotypes were concomitant with telomerase inhibition, manifested in a telomere length-independent manner and not associated with activated c-Myc levels. However, anti-proliferative effects were also observed in normal neural/endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo. Conclusion This study warrants in vivo validation of RHPS4 and alternative G4 ligands as potential anti-cancer agents for brain tumors but highlights the consideration of dose-limiting tissue toxicities

3D bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue worldwide, with over four million operations using bone grafts or bone substitute materials annually to treat bone defects. However, significant limitations affect current treatment options and clinical demand for bone grafts continues to rise due to conditions such as trauma, cancer, infection and arthritis. Developing bioactive three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to support bone regeneration has therefore become a key area of focus within bone tissue engineering (BTE). A variety of materials and manufacturing methods including 3D printing have been used to create novel alternatives to traditional bone grafts. However, individual groups of materials including polymers, ceramics and hydrogels have been unable to fully replicate the properties of bone when used alone. Favourable material properties can be combined and bioactivity improved when groups of materials are used together in composite 3D scaffolds. This review will therefore consider the ideal properties of bioactive composite 3D scaffolds and examine recent use of polymers, hydrogels, metals, ceramics and bio-glasses in BTE. Scaffold fabrication methodology, mechanical performance, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and potential clinical translations will be discussed