The influence of occupational rank on organizational commitment of faculty members

This study investigates the impact of rank on organizational commitment and explores the individual relationships between affective, normative and continuance commitment. The study comprised a sample of 505 academic staff from 28 privately-owned technical institutes in Haryana state, India. Three way ANOVA results reveal that overall organizational commitment increases progressively with rank. Results further show that rank does not have a positive influence on affective, continuance and normative commitment. Female faculty found more committed than their male counterparts. The findings have been thoroughly discussed in terms of the influential role of rank on organizational commitments for faculty members

Effects of visible lights, photodermatoses and role of antioxidants in skin health

Visible light (VL) radiation poses potential risks to the skin, including solar urticaria, chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), cutaneous porphyrias, and others. Photodermatoses, another skin condition, can be worsened by exposure to light. Involves the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively), which harms proteins, lipids, and DNA results in an inflammatory reaction and increased skin pigmentation. Studies show that plant-derived antioxidants can shield VIS-exposed skin from oxidative damage brought on by ROS. Both API (Active pharmaceutical ingredients) and BTC (Bis trichloromethyl carbonate) give protection against harm caused by VL and useful topical antioxidants that can be added to sunscreens in terms of sun protection techniques, whereas, vitamins A, C, and E are antioxidants that reduce the aging process by preventing free radicals from oxidizing sensitive biological components. With an emphasis on either VL blocking (tinted sunscreens) or production of reactive species and radical quenching (antioxidant sunscreens), availability of photoprotection products that contain VL protection is expanding. Promising advancements have been made in incorporating antioxidants and radical scavengers into sunscreen formulations to address the induction of ROS/RNS by visible light. Topical application of an antioxidant blend containing varying concentrations of a singlet oxygen quencher along with fixed concentrations of vitamin E (0.25%) and vitamin C (0.01%) has shown ability to inhibit erythema and reduce pigmentation in certain skin types. Recent advancements in understanding VL's ability to induce reactive species have paved the way for antioxidant-based formulations, which offer promising alternatives for photoprotection across all skin types

Ovarian preservation with lateral ovarian transposition in operable Ca cervix: experience at a tertiary care center

Background: The benefits of ovarian preservation during radical surgery for ca cervix in premenopausal patients far outweigh the risk of ovarian disease later. However, adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy damages retained ovaries. Mobilization and transposition of these ovaries during surgery outside the pelvis prevents or reduces radiation damage to these ovaries. A prospective observational study was conducted to objectively study the effect of ovarian preservation with Lateral Ovarian Transposition (LOT) on ovarian function on operated patients of Ca cervix.Methods: All pre-menopausal patients of Ca cervix <45 years, planned for surgery underwent FSH levels to assess ovarian function and were screened for ovarian disease. Eligible patients who consented underwent ovarian retention (OR) with LOT during surgery. Adjuvant treatments as indicated was administered and all patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery for subjective (symptoms) and objective (FSH) evidence of ovarian failure.Results: LOT could be successfully performed in all patients. Though the mean FSH values did show a rise after surgery, this was more pronounced in patients receiving radiotherapy (RT). Ovarian function continued normally in 63% of all patients with 72% retaining ovarian function when RT was not administered. Hot flashes (HF) and Vaginal dryness(VD) were the most common symptoms but its onset was gradual and symptoms milder compared to surgical menopause.Conclusions: LOT is an oncologicaly safe, technically feasible and reasonably effective procedure for preserving ovarian function during surgical treatment and even after adjuvant RT in Ca Cervix and should be offered to eligible premenopausal patients

UTERUS DIDELPHYS IN NULLIPAROUS AND MULTIPAROUS WOMEN – A RARE ENTITY

Uterus didelphys is a rare congenital uterine abnormality in which the embryogenetic fusion of the Mullerian ducts fails to occur. It will lead to the formation of a double uterus with two separate cervices and most often a double vagina with a longitudinal septum as well. Here, we present two different cases of uterus didelphys with varied presentations. The first case is a nulliparous woman presented with post-coital bleeding. On examination, two cervical openings with a longitudinal complete vaginal septum were found, conservative management was done. Findings of didelphys uterus were confirmed on USG. The patient was counseled and discharged. The second case is a multiparous woman with previous cesarean delivery, rupture of membranes, and meconium in this pregnancy with term pregnancy taken up for emergency cesarean section. Dense adhesions and a mass on the right side of uterus were found intraoperatively, which on further inspection confirmed to be patent right horn of uterus. Diagnosis of uterus didelphys was made after doing per speculum and per vaginal examination post-cesarean

“EFFECT OF BODY MASS INDEX ON PREGNANCY OUTCOME” - A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Background: Mothers who are overweight or obese during pregnancy and childbirth, are known to be at risk of significant antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal complications. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of high pre pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (&lt;12 weeks of gestation) on the occurrence of maternal pregnancy outcome. A longitudinal observational study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. In Group I, 50 antenatal women with gestational age &lt;12 weeks BMI 18.5–35 kg/m2 and having singleton pregnancies were included in the study, while 50 women with normal BMI formed the Group II. Both groups were followed up throughout pregnancy and post-natal to assess complication during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium. Results: The mean BMI in Group I and Group II was 27.516 kg/m2 and 21.433 kg/m2. The prevalence of anemia was 40% and 26% among two groups. Antenatal and post-natal complications were gestational diabetes mellitus (Group I - 28% and Group II - 6%), preeclampsia (Group I - 16% and Group II - 2%), required induction of labor (Group I - 26% and Group II - 6%), preterm labor (Group I - 4% and Group II - 16%), and meconium staining of liquor (GroupI-20% and GroupII-12%), and the difference was statistically significant among two groups. Newborn complications were weight ≥2.5 kg (Group I - 74% and Group II - 48%), neonatal intensive care unit admission requirement (Group I - 26% and Group II - 17%), and the difference was statistically significant among two groups. Other complications which were not statistically significant among two groups were oligohydramnios (Group I - 2% and Group II - 4%), polyhydramnios (Group I - 6% and Group II - 4%), and appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration score at 1 min &lt;7 (Group I - 14% and Group II - 6%). Conclusion: Pregnancy complications related to maternal BMI is a growing problem. Both lean and obese mothers carry an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Given the major economic and medical consequence of pregnancy in these women, all attempts should be made to maintain a normal BMI in women of childbearing age. Pre-pregnancy counseling, health programs and appropriate multidisciplinary management should be done

Determination of the internal anatomy of a permanent dentition: A review

The human dental pulp takes on numerous configurations and shapes. The primary requirements for the successful treatment outcome are a thorough knowledge of the tooth morphology, careful interpretation of radiographs, proper access preparation and a detailed exploration of the interior of the tooth. Various aids like magnification and illumination must be utilized to achieve this goal. The following article is an attempt to describe and illustrate the various methods, which are used to determine the internal anatomy of the teeth. It is essential to understand the complexity of the root canal system and it is equally essential to understand the principles and problems associated with shaping and cleaning for determining working length and for determining the apical limits of canal preparations for performing microsurgical procedures

The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior: A review from students to students

One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity. This review originated from the first International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Journal of Neurochemistry (JNC) Flagship School held in Alpbach, Austria (Sep 2016), and will use its curriculum and discussions as a framework to review some of the current knowledge in the field of synaptic plasticity. First, we describe the role of plasticity during development and the persistent changes of neural circuitry occurring when sensory input is altered during critical developmental stages. We then outline the signaling cascades resulting in the synthesis of new plasticity-related proteins, which ultimately enable sustained changes in synaptic strength. Going beyond the traditional understanding of synaptic plasticity conceptualized by LTP and LTD, we discuss system-wide modifications and recently unveiled homeostatic mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling. Finally, we describe the neural circuits and synaptic plasticity mechanisms driving associative memory and motor learning. Evidence summarized in this review provides a current view of synaptic plasticity in its various forms, offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and behavioral relevance, and provides directions for future research in the field of synaptic plasticity.Fil: Schaefer, Natascha. University of Wuerzburg; AlemaniaFil: Rotermund, Carola. University of Tuebingen; AlemaniaFil: Blumrich, Eva Maria. Universitat Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Lourenco, Mychael V.. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Joshi, Pooja. Robert Debre Hospital; FranciaFil: Hegemann, Regina U.. University of Otago; Nueva ZelandaFil: Jamwal, Sumit. ISF College of Pharmacy; IndiaFil: Ali, Nilufar. Augusta University; Estados UnidosFil: García Romero, Ezra Michelet. Universidad Veracruzana; MéxicoFil: Sharma, Sorabh. Birla Institute of Technology and Science; IndiaFil: Ghosh, Shampa. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Sinha, Jitendra K.. Indian Council of Medical Research; IndiaFil: Loke, Hannah. Hudson Institute of Medical Research; AustraliaFil: Jain, Vishal. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Lepeta, Katarzyna. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Salamian, Ahmad. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Sharma, Mahima. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Golpich, Mojtaba. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Nawrotek, Katarzyna. University Of Lodz; ArgentinaFil: Paid, Ramesh K.. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology; IndiaFil: Shahidzadeh, Sheila M.. Syracuse University; Estados UnidosFil: Piermartiri, Tetsade. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: Amini, Elham. University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre; MalasiaFil: Pastor, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Wilson, Yvette. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: Adeniyi, Philip A.. Afe Babalola University; NigeriaFil: Datusalia, Ashok K.. National Brain Research Centre; IndiaFil: Vafadari, Benham. Polish Academy of Sciences; ArgentinaFil: Saini, Vedangana. University of Nebraska; Estados UnidosFil: Suárez Pozos, Edna. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Kushwah, Neetu. Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences; IndiaFil: Fontanet, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia ; ArgentinaFil: Turner, Anthony J.. University of Leeds; Reino Unid

Natural Biomaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering: A Highly Biocompatible Solution.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) constitute a major fraction of the current major global diseases and lead to about 30% of the deaths, i.e., 17.9 million deaths per year. CVD include coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), arrhythmias, heart failure, heart valve diseases, congenital heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. Cardiac Tissue Engineering (CTE) aims to address these conditions, the overall goal being the efficient regeneration of diseased cardiac tissue using an ideal combination of biomaterials and cells. Various cells have thus far been utilized in pre-clinical studies for CTE. These include adult stem cell populations (mesenchymal stem cells) and pluripotent stem cells (including autologous human induced pluripotent stem cells or allogenic human embryonic stem cells) with the latter undergoing differentiation to form functional cardiac cells. The ideal biomaterial for cardiac tissue engineering needs to have suitable material properties with the ability to support efficient attachment, growth, and differentiation of the cardiac cells, leading to the formation of functional cardiac tissue. In this review, we have focused on the use of biomaterials of natural origin for CTE. Natural biomaterials are generally known to be highly biocompatible and in addition are sustainable in nature. We have focused on those that have been widely explored in CTE and describe the original work and the current state of art. These include fibrinogen (in the context of Engineered Heart Tissue, EHT), collagen, alginate, silk, and Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Amongst these, fibrinogen, collagen, alginate, and silk are isolated from natural sources whereas PHAs are produced via bacterial fermentation. Overall, these biomaterials have proven to be highly promising, displaying robust biocompatibility and, when combined with cells, an ability to enhance post-MI cardiac function in pre-clinical models. As such, CTE has great potential for future clinical solutions and hence can lead to a considerable reduction in mortality rates due to CVD