Single-stage management of large pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts in pediatric age group: Report of two cases

Two patients presented to us with very similar clinical and radiological presentation of huge hydatid cysts in the lung and liver. The first patient was an 11-year-old female child and the second one was a 9-year-old male child. The clinical features in both were breathlessness on exertion, pain abdomen, and abdominal distension. Chest Roentgenogram along with computed tomogram of the chest and abdomen revealed presence of thin-walled homogenous large cysts, one in the right lung and two in the liver, in both the cases. Although the liver cysts were of larger size and occupying most of the right lobe of the liver and part of the left lobe, liver function tests were normal. All three cysts were enucleated in the same sitting by a combined thoracic and abdominal approach (thoracotomy followed by laparotomy). After enucleation of the cyst, capitonnage of the cavity in the lung was done and the liver cavities were filled with omentum to prevent collection of fluid and abscess formation. Both patients recovered well, although the second patient required abdominal drain for a long period of 1 month for bile leakage which decreased gradually and eventually stopped

Evaluation of the denture impact on the palatal rugae: An original research

Introduction: The palatal rugae may alter their shape based on the various physical pressures that they had to endure. This study's objective is to assess the various alterations in the palatal rugae parameters among the complete denture wearers. Materials and Procedures: Forty subjects in all were chosen for the study. The control group interventional groups had an equal number of participants who were further equally distributed based on gender. For all of the participants, mucostatic maxillary alginate imprints were taken, and gypsum castings were created. They were called at the scheduled intervals of 2, 6, and 12 months following the treatment. The models used during those recalls and all of the palatal rugae were examined under a microscope for quantity, length, form, orientation, and unifications. The unpaired t-test was used to statistically examine palatal rugae alterations. Results: Following the wear of the dentures, the experimental group's primary, secondary, and fragmented rugae all gradually shrank in length. In terms of statistics, the alteration solely affected primary rugae and was significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the prolonged mechanical stress the dentures placed on the palatal rugae, complete denture users saw a significant reduction in the length of their primary rugae. Rugae number, orientation, and unification were among the other criteria that did not change during the course of the study. Analysis of the palatal rugae may not be useful in identifying people wearing full dentures. However, in forensic investigations, rugae may act as an adjunct to other methods like fingerprints and DNA analysis

Метод вирощування при високому тиску для одержання відновленого оксиду графену і його дослідження за допомогою Раманівської спектроскопії

Похідні графену демонструють надзвичайні механічні, оптичні та електронні властивості, які викликали високий науковий інтерес, і мають величезний потенціал для використання у різних додатках. Раманівська спектроскопія є універсальним інструментом для характеристики та ідентифікації хімічних та фізичних властивостей похідних графену. Ми описуємо основні процеси раманівського розсіювання режимів першого (G) та другого порядку (D, G*, 2D, G + D, 2G), які мають місце в оксиді графену (GO) та відновленому оксиді графену (r-GO), підготовлених методом вирощування при високому тиску. Для r-GO лінії розширені і трохи зміщені в червону область для всіх смуг порівняно з GO через розвинення деформації під час вирощування при високому тиску (гідротермальний процес) в результаті видалення функціональних груп кисню. Обговорюється нормалізоване відношення інтенсивностей (ID/IG) для GO та r-GO. В обох зразках відношення ID/IG є високим, що свідчить про малі розміри GO та r-GO та наявність турбостратичного вуглецю та невпорядкованих структур. Зіставлення піків 2D-смуги демонструє чотири Лоренцівські піки, а інтенсивність 2D-смуги у порівнянні із Gсмугою сильно зменшується, що підтверджує, що ми успішно синтезували двошаровий/тришаровий GO та r-GO. Для GO та r-GO розраховано розмір кристалітів (La). Існування 2D-смуги підтверджує, що ми успішно синтезували високоякісні GO та r-GO.Graphene derivatives show extraordinary mechanical, optical, and electronic properties, which gave rise to high scientific interest and huge potential for a variety of applications. Raman spectroscopy is a versatile tool to characterize and identify the chemical and physical properties of graphene derivatives. We describe essential Raman scattering processes of the first- (G) and second-order (D, G*, 2D, G + D, 2G) modes in GO and r-GO prepared by a high-pressure growth approach. In r-GO, the linewidth is broadened and slightly red-shifted in all the bands, in comparison with GO because of strain development during the high-pressure growth approach (hydrothermal process) as a result of removal of oxygen functionalities. A normalized intensity ratio (ID/IG) for GO and r-GO is discussed. In both the samples, ID/IG is high which indicates the small size of GO and r-GO and the presence of turbostratic carbon and disordered structures. The peak fitting of the 2D band exhibits four Lorentzian peaks, and the intensity of the 2D band with respect to the G band is strongly reduced, which confirms that we have successfully synthesized bilayer/ trilayer GO and r-GO. For GO and r-GO, the crystallite size (La) is calculated. The existence of the 2D band confirms that we have successfully synthesized high-quality GO and r-GO

Inflammatory Biomarkers of Sulfur Mustard Analog 2-Chloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide–Induced Skin Injury in SKH-1 Hairless Mice

Sulfur mustard (HD) is an alkylating and cytotoxic chemical warfare agent, which inflicts severe skin toxicity and an inflammatory response. Effective medical countermeasures against HD-caused skin toxicity are lacking due to limited knowledge of related mechanisms, which is mainly attributed to the requirement of more applicable and efficient animal skin toxicity models. Using a less toxic analog of HD, chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), we identified quantifiable inflammatory biomarkers of CEES-induced skin injury in dose- (0.05–2 mg) and time- (3–168 h) response experiments, and developed a CEES-induced skin toxicity SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Topical CEES treatment at high doses caused a significant dose-dependent increase in skin bi-fold thickness indicating edema. Histopathological evaluation of CEES-treated skin sections revealed increases in epidermal and dermal thickness, number of pyknotic basal keratinocytes, dermal capillaries, neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and desquamation of epidermis. CEES-induced dose-dependent increases in epidermal cell apoptosis and basal cell proliferation were demonstrated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (tdt)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling and proliferative cell nuclear antigen stainings, respectively. Following an increase in the mast cells, myeloperoxidase activity in the inflamed skin peaked at 24 h after CEES exposure coinciding with neutrophil infiltration. F4/80 staining of skin integuments revealed an increase in the number of macrophages after 24 h of CEES exposure. In conclusion, these results establish CEES-induced quantifiable inflammatory biomarkers in a more applicable and efficient SKH-1 hairless mouse model, which could be valuable for agent efficacy studies to develop potential prophylactic and therapeutic interventions for HD-induced skin toxicity

Perception and practices followed by AYUSH practitioners and health seekers for prevention of COVID-19: Cross-sectional analysis of an app-based data

Abstract AYUSH Sanjivani is a mobile application launched by the Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) to gather information regarding the utilization of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) advocacies for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional analysis of the data generated through this mobile application has been performed and presented in this article to examine the acceptability and extent of utilization of AYUSH preventive measures in India. Objectives: The objectives of this cross-sectional analysis was to determine the trends of the utilization of AYUSH measures by the beneficiaries as reported by AYUSH practitioners and by the practitioners themselves for the prevention of COVID-19 and to determine the benefit obtained in terms of self-reported parameters of general well being, the overall impact on general health and in preventing the onset of flu-like symptoms. Methods: A secondary data analysis was undertaken, utilizing the cross-sectional data generated through the AYUSH Sanjivani App from May to July 2020. The responses in terms of demographic profile, utilization pattern, benefits obtained, the interventions used and the data of beneficiaries in terms of geographic location and interventions prescribed were analyzed statistically to assess the trends of the utilization of AYUSH measures for prophylaxis. Results: Data of 74,568 AYUSH physicians and 1,35,21,245 beneficiaries/health seekers whose data were reported by 3623 AYUSH practitioners were used for analysis. AYUSH advocacies/measures were utilized by 69,195 (92.8%) physicians for prophylaxis. Samshamani Vati, Chyavanprash, and Arsenicum Album-30 were the most commonly used AYUSH interventions. Improvement in terms of appetite, bowel movements, sleep, mental well being, stamina, change in pre-existing disease, and change in disposition were reported by 42400 (61.3%) physicians. Maximum beneficiaries were from the state of Gujarat followed by Madhya Pradesh. Arsenicum Album-30 was the most commonly prescribed/distributed intervention among the beneficiaries/ health seekers. Conclusion: Maximum physicians have reported having benefited from the use of AYUSH prophylactic measures for the prevention of COVID-19. Moreover, a good proportion of the Indian population was provided the AYUSH prophylactic measures as recorded in the app

Spirocyclic β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitors: From hit to lowering of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid β in a higher species

A hallmark of Alzheimer\u27s disease is the brain deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ), a peptide of 36-43 amino acids that is likely a primary driver of neurodegeneration. Aβ is produced by the sequential cleavage of APP by BACE1 and γ-secretase; therefore, inhibition of BACE1 represents an attractive therapeutic target to slow or prevent Alzheimer\u27s disease. Herein we describe BACE1 inhibitors with limited molecular flexibility and molecular weight that decrease CSF Aβ in vivo, despite efflux. Starting with spirocycle 1a, we explore structure-activity relationships of core changes, P3 moieties, and Asp binding functional groups in order to optimize BACE1 affinity, cathepsin D selectivity, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Using wild type guinea pig and rat, we demonstrate a PK/PD relationship between free drug concentrations in the brain and CSF Aβ lowering. Optimization of brain exposure led to the discovery of (R)-50 which reduced CSF Aβ in rodents and in monkey. © 2013 American Chemical Society

Discovery of a Novel Class of Imidazo[1,2‑<i>a</i>]Pyridines with Potent PDGFR Activity and Oral Bioavailability

The in silico construction of a PDGFRβ kinase homology model and ensuing medicinal chemistry guided by molecular modeling, led to the identification of potent, small molecule inhibitors of PDGFR. Subsequent exploration of structure–activity relationships (SAR) led to the incorporation of a constrained secondary amine to enhance selectivity. Further refinements led to the integration of a fluorine substituted piperidine, which resulted in significant reduction of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) mediated efflux and improved bioavailability. Compound <b>28</b> displayed oral exposure in rodents and had a pronounced effect in a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) assay

Discovery of 7‑Tetrahydropyran-2-yl Chromans: β‑Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1) Inhibitors That Reduce Amyloid β‑Protein (Aβ) in the Central Nervous System

In an attempt to increase selectivity vs Cathepsin D (CatD) in our BACE1 program, a series of 1,3,4,4a,10,10a-hexahydropyrano­[4,3-b]­chromene analogues was developed. Three different Asp-binding moieties were examined: spirocyclic acyl guanidines, aminooxazolines, and aminothiazolines in order to modulate potency, selectivity, efflux, and permeability. Using structure-based design, substitutions to improve binding to both the S3 and S2′ sites of BACE1 were explored. An acyl guanidine moiety provided the most potent analogues. These compounds demonstrated 10–420 fold selectivity for BACE1 vs CatD, and were highly potent in a cell assay measuring Aβ_1–40 production (5–99 nM). They also suffered from high efflux. Despite this undesirable property, two of the acyl guanidines achieved free brain concentrations (C_free,brain) in a guinea pig PD model sufficient to cover their cell IC₅₀s. Moreover, a significant reduction of Aβ_1–40 in guinea pig, rat, and cyno CSF (58%, 53%, and 63%, respectively) was observed for compound <b>62</b>