A Novel Method of Linguistic Topsis for DMSS Technique

This paper extends the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for solving multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problems under trapezoidal fuzzy linguistic variables. In situations where the information or the data is of the form of trapezoidal fuzzy linguistic numbers (TFLNs), some arithmetic aggregation operators have to be defined, namely the Trapezoid Fuzzy Linguistic Weighted Harmonic Averaging (TFLWHA)operator, Trapezoid Fuzzy Linguistic Ordered Weighted Harmonic Averaging (TFLOWHA) operator and Trapezoid Fuzzy Linguistic Hybrid Harmonic Averaging(TFLHHA) operator. A new method for determining decision maker?s weights is also proposed in the paper, which is used to determine the best alternative. An extended TOPSIS model is developed to solve the MAGDM problems using a new algorithm and an illustration is given

Re-staging surgery in endometrial cancer: an audit on its value

Background: Incomplete surgical staging in carcinoma endometrium is not an uncommon entity in developing world. Proper surgical staging has got a role in prognostication and planning adjuvant treatment. So, an audit was done to assess the extent of upstaging in women with endometrial cancers who were referred to index centre from outside hospitals with incomplete surgical staging.Methods: It is a retrospective study. The demographic, clinical and treatment details of women with complete data having at-least one follow up after completion surgery were analyzed. Patients who had any other anticancer treatment elsewhere were excluded. The extent of upstaging was studied based on International federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) 2008 staging.Results: A total of 88 patients of endometrial cancer were evaluated retrospectively, of which 10 had completion surgery. 10% of the patients were upstaged according to the FIGO stage (one from IA to IB), while one patient upstaged from IIIA to IVB after slide review by index centre. According to FIGO Grade, 40% patient upgraded (one upgraded from I to II, three from II to III) while one downgraded from II to I. Recurrence rate was 40%.Conclusions: Upstaging is seen in 10% of patient after completion surgery, which requires the necessity of evaluation by gynecologic oncologist selectively. However, larger and multi-centric studies needed to draw definite conclusion. There is a significant discordance in grade and histology after the review at index centre

Core-Shell Interface-Oriented Synthesis of Bowl-Structured Hollow Silica Nanospheres Using Self-Assembled ABC Triblock Copolymeric Micelles

© 2018 American Chemical Society. Hollow porous silica nanospheres (HSNs) are emerging classes of cutting-edge nanostructured materials. They have elicited much interest as carriers of active molecule delivery due to their amorphous chemical structure, nontoxic nature, and biocompatibility. Structural development with hierarchical morphology is mostly required to obtain the desired performance. In this context, large through-holes or pore openings on shells are desired so that the postsynthesis loading of active-molecule onto HSNs via a simple immersion method can be facilitated. This study reports the synthesis of HSNs with large through-holes or pore openings on shells, which are subsequently termed bowl-structured hollow porous silica nanospheres (BHSNs). The synthesis of BHSNs was mediated by the core-shell interfaces of the core-shell corona-structured micelles obtained from a commercially available ABC triblock copolymer (polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-P2VP-PEO)). In this synthesis process, polymer@SiO2 composite structure was formed because of the deposition of silica (SiO2) on the micelles' core. The P2VP block played a significant role in the hydrolysis and condensation of the silica precursor, i.e., tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and then maintaining the shell's growth. The PS core of the micelles built the void spaces. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed a spherical hollow structure with an average particle size of 41.87 ± 3.28 nm. The average diameter of void spaces was 21.71 ± 1.22 nm, and the shell thickness was 10.17 ± 1.68 nm. According to the TEM image analysis, the average large pore was determined to be 15.95 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images further confirmed the presence of large single pores or openings in shells. These were formed as a result of the accumulated ethanol on the PS core acting to prevent the growth of silica

Multi-lineage differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells - To Wnt, or not Wnt

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent precursor cells originating from several adult connective tissues. MSCs possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into several lineages, and are recognized by the expression of unique cell surface markers. Several lines of evidence suggest that various signal transduction pathways and their interplay regulate MSC differentiation. To that end, a critical player in regulating MSC differentiation is a group of proteins encoded by the Wnt gene family, which was previously known for influencing various stages of embryonic development and cell fate determination. As MSCs have gained significant clinical attention for their potential applications in regenerative medicine, it is imperative to unravel the mechanisms by which molecular regulators control differentiation of MSCs for designing cell-based therapeutics. It is rather coincidental that the functional outcome(s) of Wnt-induced signals share similarities with cellular redox-mediated networks from the standpoint of MSC biology. Furthermore, there is evidence for a crosstalk between Wnt and redox signalling, which begs the question whether Wnt-mediated differentiation signals involve the intermediary role of reactive oxygen species. In this review, we summarize the impact of Wnt signalling on multi-lineage differentiation of MSCs, and attempt to unravel the intricate interplay between Wnt and redox signals

SFRP-mediated Wnt sequestration as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

The extracellular ligand, Wnt, and its receptors are involved in sign al transduction and play an important role in axis formation and neural development. In neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), a decrease of the intracellular Wnt effector, ß-catenin, has been linked to amyloid-ß-peptide-induced neurotoxicity. Despite this knowledge, targeting Wnt inhibitors as potential biomarkers has not been explored, and harnessing Wnt activators as therapeutic candidates remains largely not investigated. A wide acting family of Wnt mediators, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs), has not been probed so far as molecular indicators of disease occurrence and progression of Alzheimer's. Unlike the effect of the Dickkopf (DKK) family of Wnt antagonists on AD, the sFRP molecules have a more pleiotropic impact on the Wnt signaling cascade and probably have a far-reaching involvement in neurodegeneration. The role of sFRPs has been poorly described in AD, and in this review, we analyze the present status of the role of sFRPs on neurodegeneration, their likely involvement, and potential implications in treatment modalities of AD. This information would provide valuable clues for the development of potential therapeutic targets for aberrant neurodegenerative disorders

Critical Review of Methods for Sampling, Analysis, and Monitoring of Vapor-Phase Toluene Diisocyanate

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91959/1/TLVpaper2002.pd

Interactions between zinc oxide nanoparticles and hexabromocyclododecane in simulated waters

The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have been increasingly applied in industries and consumer products, causing release of these nanoparticles in environments. The behaviour of ZnO-NPs in the water systems is complicated due to the presence of different cations, anions, organic substances (e.g. humic acid HA) and other organic pollutants (e.g. commonly used brominated flame retardant, BFR). In particular, the aggregation and alteration of these nanoparticles can be influenced by co-existence contaminants. In this study, the interactions between hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and ZnO-NPs were investigated for the physicochemical properties and colloidal stability changes in various simulated waters. This is significant to understand the fate and behaviour of ZnO-NPs at environmental relevant conditions. The surface chemistry and particle size distribution (PSD) of ZnO-NPs with and without the existence of HBCD, HA and electrolytes (NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2) after different periods (1 and 3 weeks) were investigated at pH 7.00 ± 0.02. The size of the ZnO-NPs increased from nanometres to micrometres with the addition of numerous concentrations of HBCD, HA, and cations and their mixtures. The zeta potential of ZnO-NPs increased upon addition of HBCD, HA and electrolytes indicating a more stable agglomeration form while less agglomeration was observed in the ZnO-NPs and HA suspension after 3 weeks. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, including hydrogen bonding and cation bridging could be potential interactive driving forces. The results indicated agglomeration of ZnO-NPs in the existence of organic substances, salts and contaminants, thus sedimentation and precipitation are promising under salty surface water/sea water