The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

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Not AvailableOne hundred and fifteen interspecific derivatives of groundnut developed at National Research Centre for Groundnut, Junagadh (Gujarat) were evaluated along with checks in augmented design for yield and yield related traits under field conditions. The analysis of variance for quantitative traits revealed wide genetic diversity for biological yield, pod yield, kernel yield, hundred-kernel mass, harvest index and shelling out-turn. Two genotypes NRCGCS 268 and NRCGCS 269 recorded significantly higher hundred-kernel mass than the check variety, TKG 19A. Genotypes NRCGCS 257 and NRCGCS 277 were tolerant to multiple foliar diseases recording less than 4.0 disease severity of early leaf spot, late leaf spot and rust on a modified 9-point scale. Eight genotypes were found promising for oil content with more than 50% oil. The promising interspecific derivatives identified for various quantitative traits would help in broading the genetic base of groundnut .Not Availabl

Characterisation of phosphatic slag and its utilisation in ceramic industry

Physicochemical characteristics of ‘Phosphatic Slag’ from a phosphorus manufacturing plant in Bhavnagar in Gujarat State were studied with the object of determining its suitability in the manufacture of low cost industrial ceramic products like wall tile, LT insulators, crockery and novelty wares as well as opaque glazes. The results showed that the phosphatic slag is a solid solution of calcium silicate and fluoride containing calcium oxide and silica as major constituents but associated with impurities like sulphur trioxide, fluorine, phosphorous pentoxide, alumina etc. The study also revealed that the material could be used as substitute of calcium and silica bearing materials like calcite, wollastonite etc, up to 18.5 wt% in opaque glazes, about 10 wt% in crockery and novelty wares and up to 30 wt% in earthenware wall tile bodies. The products developed also conformed to the respective BIS Specifications as required for commercial utilisation

Microwave promoted synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 3-thiazole substituted 2-styryl-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives

AbstractThe present paper describes an optimized reaction condition for the microwave promoted synthesis of newer 3-thiazole substituted 2-styryl-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives, which in turn were prepared in good yield by the treatment of various 2-styryl benzoxazinone derivatives with various 2-aminothiazoles using co-solvent under microwave irradiation. All the compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and analytical methods. All newly synthesized compounds have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus megaterium,Bacillus subtilis, and Aspergillus niger

Association of social anxiety disorder with depression and quality of life among medical undergraduate students

Objective: Social anxiety disorder (SAD), (also known as social phobia), is characterized by intense fear of social interaction and often associated with social avoidance and impairments. There is high risk for depression, substance use disorder, and suicide among them. Subjects and Methods: It is an observational, cross-sectional, single centered, questionnaire-based study assessing the frequency of SAD and depression and their possible association with quality of life among 290 consenting medical undergraduate students. Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI II), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment scale (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to screen and assess severity of SAD, depression, and quality of life, respectively. The statistical analysis of proportions was done by Chi-square test, while the scores of SPIN, BDI II, and WHOQOL-BREF was compared using Mann–Whitney test or Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn posttest multiple comparison, using GraphPad InStat version 3.06. Results: Frequency of SAD is 11.37%, and depression is 8.96%. Females are more likely to experience SAD. Participants with SAD are more likely to experience depression (P < 0.0001) and have poor quality of life (P = 0.01). Participants with depression have higher SPIN score (P < 0.0001) and poor quality of life (P < 0.0001). Females are more likely to experience social fear (P = 0.02). Participants staying away from their family are more likely to experience social anxiety in comparison to their peers (P = 0.01). Severity of depression is correlated with severity of social anxiety (Spearman r = 0.4423 [0.3416–0.5329], P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Participants with SAD are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and have poor quality of life and vice versa

Insights into Molecular Diversity within the FUS/EWS/TAF15 Protein Family: Unraveling Phase Separation of the N‑Terminal Low-Complexity Domain from RNA-Binding Protein EWS

The FET protein family, comprising FUS, EWS, and TAF15, plays crucial roles in mRNA maturation, transcriptional regulation, and DNA damage response. Clinically, they are linked to Ewing family tumors and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The fusion protein EWS::FLI1, the causative mutation of Ewing sarcoma, arises from a genomic translocation that fuses a portion of the low-complexity domain (LCD) of EWS (EWSLCD) with the DNA binding domain of the ETS transcription factor FLI1. This fusion protein modifies transcriptional programs and disrupts native EWS functions, such as splicing. The exact role of the intrinsically disordered EWSLCD remains a topic of active investigation, but its ability to phase separate and form biomolecular condensates is believed to be central to EWS::FLI1’s oncogenic properties. Here, we used paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR, microscopy, and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to better understand the self-association and phase separation tendencies of the EWSLCD. Our NMR data and mutational analysis suggest that a higher density and proximity of tyrosine residues amplify the likelihood of condensate formation. MD simulations revealed that the tyrosine-rich termini exhibit compact conformations with unique contact networks and provided critical input on the relationship between contacts formed within a single molecule (intramolecular) and inside the condensed phase (intermolecular). These findings enhance our understanding of FET proteins’ condensate-forming capabilities and underline differences between EWS, FUS, and TAF15

Earfold Implantable Clip System for Correction of Prominent Ears: Analysis of Safety in 403 Patients

Background:. The Earfold system, a new treatment for the correction of prominent ears, consists of 3 components: the Earfold implant, the Earfold introducer, and the Prefold positioner. Methods:. This is an interim report based on an ongoing analysis of safety in a series of patients treated for prominent ears with the Earfold implant between February 2013 and September 2014. Safety was assessed based on adverse event reports and the need for implant revision; follow-up is ongoing. Results:. Seven surgeons used 1,200 Earfold implants to treat 403 patients (ages, 7–70 years; 63% male); the time since the initial implant procedure now ranges from 30 to 48 months. To date, 145 patients (36%) have returned for a follow-up visit (mean, 7.7 months [range, 1–34 months]). Adverse events requiring intervention have affected 39 of 403 (9.7%) patients; these include implant revisions (n = 17 [4.2%], most often due to implant visibility), skin erosion over the implant (n = 15 [3.7%]), and infection (n = 7 [1.7%]). Bleeding, recurrence of prominence, hematoma, deformity, or adverse scarring did not occur. Conclusions:. This interim analysis has shown that Earfold prominent ear correction system is associated with relatively few adverse events that require intervention; a small number of patients experienced infection, implant extrusion, or implant visibility that required revision. Most adverse events were related to either patient selection or technical errors at implantation. It is expected that with continued use of Earfold by surgeons experienced in otoplasty, the adverse event incidence will decrease