Predictors of Depression and Life Satisfaction Among Asian Indians Living in the United States of America

This study assessed the statistical contribution of gender, acculturation, Asian values, coping self-efficacy and discrimination in the prediction of depression and life satisfaction with Asian Indian American adults. The increasing number of Asian Indians in the United States has prompted psychologists and other clinicians to seek understanding of the unique mental health needs of this population. However, previous studies on predictors of depression and life satisfaction among Asian Indians living in the United States had been scarce and inconclusive. The current study, grounded in Berry’s multidimensional theory of acculturation, used a cross-sectional correlational survey design to examine if gender, acculturation, Asian values, coping self-efficacy and discrimination predict depression and life satisfaction. A sample of 138 Asian Indian American adults living in the United States of America participated in the study. Standard multiple linear regression analyses revealed coping self-efficacy as the only predictor of depression and life satisfaction. There were gender differences in depression, life satisfaction, Asian values, and coping-self efficacy with women scoring higher than men on depression, but lower on life satisfaction, coping self-efficacy, and Asian values. The study’s findings provide clinicians with critical knowledge on the role of self-efficacy in the prediction of depression and life satisfaction among Asian Indians. Results further suggest the potential for effecting positive social change through interventions focusing on the development of self-efficacy

COHERENT STEGNOGRAPHY USING SEGMENTATION AND DCT

Abstract: Steganography is a means of establishing secret communication through public channel in an artistic manner. In this paper, we propose Bit Length Replacement Steganography Based on DCT Coefficients (BLSDCT). The cover image is segmented into 8*8 blocks and DCT is applied on each block. The numbers of payload MSB bits are embedded into DCT coefficients of the cover image based on the values of DCT coefficients. It is observed that the proposed algorithm has better PSNR, Security and capacity compared to the existing algorithm

Preparation and characterization of biocomposite films of carrageenan/locust bean gum/montmorrillonite for transdermal delivery of curcumin

Introduction: Skin can be used as a site for local and systemic drug administration. Diffusion of drugs through the skin has led to the development of different transdermal drug delivery systems. Curcumin is a wound healing and anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin was incorporated into biocomposite films of carrageenan (κC)/locust bean gum (LBG)/ montmorillonite (MMT) prepared by a solvent casting method. Methods: Film-forming solutions were prepared by adding and 2.5% v/v of propylene glycol and MMT (30% w/w). The curcumin loaded polymer composite transdermal films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and extensibility were studied. Films were also evaluated for moisture content, moisture uptake, thickness, folding endurance, swelling ratio and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Results: κC and κC/L40 showed the highest percent cumulative release of 80.42±1.61% and 69.38±1.26% among all of the polymer composite transdermal films in 8 hours and 24 hours respectively. Conclusion: In vitro release profiles showed that increasing concentration of LBG and MMT sustained the release of the drug from the polymer composite transdermal films. Decreased percent cumulative release as the concentration of LBG and MMT increases in polymer composite transdermal film

Understanding and utilizing chromosome pairing control in polyploid wheat

Most of the higher plants, including some of the most important crop plants, are polyploids or ancient polyploids. The Ph1 (Pairing homoeologous 1) gene regulating chromosome pairing in wheat by differentiating homologous from homoeologous/non-homologous pairing was discovered in 1958 but was so far not cloned. Multiple studies have shown that the Ph1 gene effect is mainly manifested by the 5B copy of the gene although the 5D copy was also shown to have a weak effect. This was evident from the higher order pairing observed in the absence of 5B that was not prevalent in the absence of 5D and 5A copies. In 2008, we had shown that the Ph1 gene localizes to a ∼2.5 Mb chromosomal region that is conserved in rice as a 450kb region containing 91 genes. These were analyzed for their putative function on the basis of detailed domain/motif analyses. Virus induced gene silencing of the selected candidates identified a gene (C-Ph1), transient as well as stable silencing of which resulted in a phenotype characteristic of the Ph1 gene mutations. The gene has three structural copies which have both different structure as well as expression pattern suggesting multiple functions explaining the observations and hypotheses for the Ph1 gene action. The 5B copy of the gene has a novel 60bp insertion resulting in two alternate splice variants that are very different from the 5D or the 5A copies. The 5A has a large 300bp deletion relative to 5D copy possibly rendering the corresponding protein ineffective. Specifically, the expression of the 5B copy increased 32-fold between prophase-I and metaphase-I coinciding with the expected stage for the Ph1 gene function. Furthermore, the C-Ph1 copy proteins are DNA-binding each with a different nucleic acid binding site again suggesting different functional properties. The gene also has orthologs in other diploid species including maize, rice, barley, and Brachypodium that are similar to the 5D copy suggesting it to be the conserved and ancestral version of the gene. Novel function of the 5B copy in regulating homoeologous chromosome pairing evolved due to polyploid-specific insertions, alternate splicing, and/or highly specific expression during metaphase-I stage

Use of Topical Timolol Maleate as Re-Epithelialization Agent for Treatment of Recalcitrant Wounds of Varying Etiologies

Chronic wounds are a source of severe morbidity to patients.1 Wounds are also a notable burden on the healthcare system, with reported prevalence of 4.64% in the U.S. and an annual cost of over 25 billion dollars.2,3 Moreover, wounds are associated with >15% of all skin disease-related deaths4 and the 5 year mortality of some chronic wounds is greater than that of many cancers.5

Beta-adrenergic antagonist for the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: study protocol for a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled and parallel-group study.

BackgroundDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are the most common cause of leg amputations and their management is extremely challenging. Despite many advances and expensive therapies, there has been little success in improving outcomes of DFUs. In prior work our laboratory has examined the effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists (βAAs) on skin and skin-derived cells. We have shown that βAAs enhance the rate of keratinocyte migration, promote angiogenesis, and hasten wound healing in scratch wounds in vitro, in animal wound models, and in anecdotally reported cases of chronic wounds that healed successfully after topical application of the βAA timolol. Thus, we propose to test timolol directly on DFUs to determine if it improves healing above the current standard of care (SOC). This study will examine the efficacy and safety of topically applied beta-antagonist Timoptic-XE® (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel forming solution) in subjects with DFUs.Methods/designThis is a phase two, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, and parallel-group clinical trial with two treatment arms, SOC plus topical Timoptic-XE® and SOC plus a non-biologically active gel (hydrogel, as placebo drug). Study subjects with a DFU will be selected from the Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). Study duration is up to 31 weeks, with three phases (screening phase for two weeks, active phase for up to 12 weeks, with an additional second consecutive confirmatory visit after 2 weeks, and follow-up phase comprising monthly visits for 4 months). Subjects will apply daily either the topical study drug or the placebo on the foot ulcer for 12 weeks or until healed, whichever comes first. Measurements of wound size and other data will be collected at baseline, followed by weekly visits for 12 weeks, and then a monthly follow-up period.DiscussionThis is a clinical translation study, moving the investigators' pre-clinical laboratory research into a translational study in which we will analyze clinical outcomes to assess for safety and estimate the efficacy of a topical beta-antagonist in healing of DFUs. The results from this trial may establish new treatment paradigms and safety profile for DFU treatment.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03282981. Registered on June 14th, 2018

Beta-adrenergic antagonist for the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: study protocol for a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled and parallel-group study.

BackgroundDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are the most common cause of leg amputations and their management is extremely challenging. Despite many advances and expensive therapies, there has been little success in improving outcomes of DFUs. In prior work our laboratory has examined the effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists (βAAs) on skin and skin-derived cells. We have shown that βAAs enhance the rate of keratinocyte migration, promote angiogenesis, and hasten wound healing in scratch wounds in vitro, in animal wound models, and in anecdotally reported cases of chronic wounds that healed successfully after topical application of the βAA timolol. Thus, we propose to test timolol directly on DFUs to determine if it improves healing above the current standard of care (SOC). This study will examine the efficacy and safety of topically applied beta-antagonist Timoptic-XE® (timolol maleate ophthalmic gel forming solution) in subjects with DFUs.Methods/designThis is a phase two, randomized, double-blinded, controlled, and parallel-group clinical trial with two treatment arms, SOC plus topical Timoptic-XE® and SOC plus a non-biologically active gel (hydrogel, as placebo drug). Study subjects with a DFU will be selected from the Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). Study duration is up to 31 weeks, with three phases (screening phase for two weeks, active phase for up to 12 weeks, with an additional second consecutive confirmatory visit after 2 weeks, and follow-up phase comprising monthly visits for 4 months). Subjects will apply daily either the topical study drug or the placebo on the foot ulcer for 12 weeks or until healed, whichever comes first. Measurements of wound size and other data will be collected at baseline, followed by weekly visits for 12 weeks, and then a monthly follow-up period.DiscussionThis is a clinical translation study, moving the investigators' pre-clinical laboratory research into a translational study in which we will analyze clinical outcomes to assess for safety and estimate the efficacy of a topical beta-antagonist in healing of DFUs. The results from this trial may establish new treatment paradigms and safety profile for DFU treatment.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03282981. Registered on June 14th, 2018

A single-blind, dose-escalation, phase I study of high-fluence light-emitting diode-red light on Caucasian non-Hispanic skin: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND:Visible light (400 to 700 nm) is common in our environment, comprising 44% of total solar radiation and a large component of environmental light exposure. The effects of visible light on skin remain undefined. The red light portion of the visible spectrum (600 to 700 nm) may be used to treat skin diseases as a monotherapeutic modality or in combination with other agents. Light-emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) phototherapy may represent an important advance in light-based treatment modalities because it is non-invasive, inexpensive, portable, and easily combinable with other therapies. We previously determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of high-fluence LED-RL (HF-LED-RL) in skin of color individuals to be 320 J/cm2. To the best of our knowledge, no clinical trials have been performed to determine the safety of higher doses of HF-LED-RL in Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of HF-LED-RL at doses of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in healthy Caucasian non-Hispanic individuals. METHODS:This is a single-blind, dose-escalation, randomized, controlled, phase I trial titled Safety Trial Assessing Red-light on Skin (STARS) 2. Healthy subjects will be randomly assigned to groups of five (three subjects randomly assigned to HF-LED-RL phototherapy and two subjects randomly assigned to mock therapy). Subjects in group 1 will receive HF-LED-RL or mock irradiation at the starting dose of 480 J/cm2, and the dose will be escalated in the subsequent group (group 2) to 640 J/cm2. The MTD is defined as the dose level below the dose at which two or more subjects (>20% of the cohort) experience a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). After either the MTD is established or the study endpoint of 640 J/cm2 is achieved, additional HF-LED-RL phototherapy subjects and mock therapy subjects will be enrolled at that fluence (group 3) for a total number of up to 60 subjects. Each subject will receive a total of nine irradiation sessions, three times per week for three consecutive weeks. DISCUSSION:This follow-up study aims to provide important knowledge about safety and cutaneous effects of HF-LED-RL phototherapy of 480 and 640 J/cm2 in Caucasian non-Hispanic subjects. The importance of this clinical trial is that it may establish new treatment paradigms and a safety profile for LED-RL based on race and ethnicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03433222 . Registered on February 1, 2018 - Retrospectively registered. Protocol date and version: January 12, 2018; version 1