Differential Neutrino Rates and Emissivities from the Plasma Process in Astrophysical Systems

The differential rates and emissivities of neutrino pairs from an equilibrium plasma are calculated for the wide range of density and temperature encountered in astrophysical systems. New analytical expressions are derived for the differential emissivities which yield total emissivities in full agreement with those previously calculated. The photon and plasmon pair production and absorption kernels in the source term of the Boltzmann equation for neutrino transport are provided. The appropriate Legendre coefficients of these kernels, in forms suitable for multi-group flux-limited diffusion schemes are also computed.Comment: 27 pages and 10 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

The photo-neutrino process in astrophysical systems

Explicit expressions for the differential and total rates and emissivities of neutrino pairs from the photo-neutrino process $e^\pm + \gamma \to e^\pm + \nu + \bar\nu$ in hot and dense matter are derived. Full information about the emitted neutrinos is retained by evaluating the squared matrix elements for this process which was hitherto bypassed through the use of Lenard's identity in obtaining the total neutrino emissivities. Accurate numerical results are presented for widely varying conditions of temperature and density. Analytical results helpful in understanding the qualitative behaviors of the rates and emissivities in limiting situations are derived. The corresponding production and absorption kernels in the source term of the Boltzmann equation for neutrino transport are developed. The appropriate Legendre coefficients of these kernels, in forms suitable for multigroup flux-limited diffusion schemes are also provided.Comment: 26 pages and 7 figures. Version as accepted in Phys. Rev. D; three figures and related discussion revise

Reliability of acridine orange fluorescence microscopy in oral cytodiagnosis

Context and Aims: The oral cavity is the most predominant location in the head and neck region for primary malignant epithelial tumors. Oral cancer is estimated to be the sixth most common malignancy. Early recognition is imperative for successful treatment and good prognosis. Exfoliative cytology is a simple and reasonably effective technique for rapid initial evaluation of a suspicious oral lesion. The present study was conducted to determine the reliability of acridine orange fluorescence microscopy for cytodiagnosis as a more rapid and easier method for the final evaluation of the cytological specimen. Materials and Methods: Smears were collected from 20 individuals with oral lesions suspicious of malignancy, oral lesions not suggestive of malignancy and normal buccal mucosa. One smear was stained with Papanicolaou stain and another one with acridine orange stain. The differences in the study group and control group were compared by means of the χ2 (Chi-square) test. The results were considered statistically significant whenever P was <0.05. Results: The acridine orange fluorescence stain reliably demonstrated malignant cells based on the differential fluorescence - a cytochemical criterion. The efficacy of the stain was higher than the conventional Papanicolaou stain in screening of oral lesions suspicious of malignancy. However, the acridine orange fluorescence stain did not differentiate effectively between malignant cells and rapidly proliferating cells, as the technique is based on the nucleic acid content. Conclusion: The fluorescent acridine orange method can be used reliably for the screening of carcinomas and it is especially helpful in the follow-up detection of recurrent carcinoma in previously treated cases

Primary lumbar hernia: A rarely encountered hernia

Introduction: Lumbar hernia is an uncommon abdominal wall hernia, making its diagnosis and management a challenge to the treating surgeon. Presentation may be misleading and diagnosis often missed. An imaging study forms an indispensable aid in the diagnosis and surgery is the only treatment option. Presentation of case: A 42 year old male presented with history of pain in lower back of 4 years duration and was being treated symptomatically over 4 years with analgesics and physiotherapy. He had noticed a swelling over the left side of his mid-back and consequently on examination was found to have a primary acquired lumbar hernia arising from the deep superior lumbar triangle of Grynfelt. Diagnosis was confirmed by Computed Tomographic imaging. Discussion: A lumbar hernia may be primary or secondary with only about 300 cases of primary lumbar hernia reported in literature. Lumbar hernias manifest through two possible defects in the posterior abdominal wall, the superior being more common. Management remains surgical with various techniques emerging over the years. The patient at our center underwent an open sublay mesh repair with excellent outcome. Conclusion: A surgeon may encounter a primary lumbar hernia perhaps once in his lifetime making it an interesting surgical challenge. Sound anatomical knowledge and adequate imaging are indispensable. Inspite of advances in minimally invasive surgery, it cannot be universally applied to patients with lumbar hernia and management requires a more tailored approach

Oral field cancerization: An update of evidences

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma often develop multiple premalignant lesions; this led to the concept of field-effect in cancer which was originated by Slaughter et al. in the year 1953. Though this was based on histopathological observations, the development of modern molecular technologies has extended the field effect concept by exploring the molecular abnormalities in tissues that appear histologically normal. In this update, we discuss in detail about the origin, principle, various theories used to explain this effect, molecular findings and therapeutic implications related to oral field cancerization

Bioterrorism: Challenges and considerations

Bioterrorism, the deliberate, private use of biological agents to harm and frighten the people of a state or society, is related to the military use of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Attacks with biological agents are among the most insidious and breed the greatest fear. Attacks could go undetected for a long time, potentially exposing a vast number of people, who are unaware of the threat. Dentist's responses to catastrophes have been redefined by bioterrorism. Accurate and substantial information given to the public by credible public health and medical experts can do much to allay their fears and encourage their cooperation and participation in constructive, organized community response efforts. The dental profession could potentially play a significant role in the emergency response to a major bioterrorism attack

Comparison of β-Catenin Protein Expression in Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst and Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumour

Introduction: Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumour (CCOT)/ Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst (COC) display a varying tissue morphology, while exhibiting different biological progression also at the same time. Attempts at classifying COC have largely been unsuccessful due to the present lack of knowledge about the development of these tumours and their underlying molecular changes. Wingless-beta catenin (Wnt–β catenin) signalling pathway has been found to be a cornerstone in the ectodermal development and tumour initiation-progression to malignant tumours, but its specific role in the pathogenesis of odontogenic ghost cell lesions is unknown. Aim: To elucidate the participation and comparison of β-catenin protein expression in pathogenesis of benign odontogenic ghost cell lesions, CCOT and Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumour (DGCT). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional Immunohistochemical (IHC) study was performed in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, AECS Maaruti College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, from December 2019 to June 2021. Research was conducted on tissue sections of centrally located 16 cases of CCOT categorised as group 1 and four cases of DGCT categorised as group 2 using β-catenin tumour marker. The study samples were retrieved from the archives. IHC stained slides were subjected for histopathological analysis, where labelling index of tumour cells were assessed in three high power fields. Resultant β-catenin expression was compared between Benign Odontogenic Ghost Cell Lesions (BOGCL). Results were subjected to statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows 17.0 (SPSS, Philadelphia, IL) software to analyse the data. Results: β-catenin positivity was assessed in tumour cells of both the groups, 16 CCOT (group 1) and 4 DGCT (group 2). In each case, number of cells in three high power field i.e., under 40X magnification were evaluated. Both the groups expressed membranous, cytoplasmic and nuclear positivity in the basaloid tumour cells. Whereas, ghost cells showed no reactivity to the biomarker, β-catenin. On comparison using Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon W test, there was no statistically significant difference in β-catenin expression between CCOT and DGCT. Conclusion: β-catenin plays an important role in the tumourigenesis of benign odontogenic ghost cell lesions. Immunohistochemically CCOT and DGCT showed no significant difference in the β-catenin expression. Hence, the results suggest that CCOT and DGCT may show variation in clinical behaviour but share similar histogenesis

Bilateral maxillary brown tumors in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism: Report of a rare entity and review of literature

Brown tumors are erosive bony lesions caused by rapid osteoclastic activity and peritrabecular fibrosis due to hyperparathyroidism, resulting in a local destructive phenomenon. The classical “brown tumor” is commonly seen in ends of long bones, the pelvis and ribs. Facial involvement is rare and, when present, usually involves the mandible. We report a case of 60-year-old male with a rare initial presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism with bilateral maxillary brown tumors. The present case represents the third report of the bilateral maxillary brown tumors in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism. Differential diagnosis is important for the right treatment choice. It should exclude other giant cell lesions that affect the maxillae

Prevalence of classical swine fever in Karnataka, India

Aim: The present study was conducted to know the current scenario of classical swine fever (CSF) in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Madikeri, Mandya, Bagalkot, Gadag, Yadgir, Koppal, and Bidar districts of Karnataka with the using of both antigen and antibody ELISA. Materials and Methods: We collected 218 sera and 121 blood samples from pigs from 10 different districts of Karnataka. Screening of sera for CSF IgG antibody and whole blood for CSF virus antigen were carried out using the CSF virus (CSFV) antibody and antigen ELISA kits, respectively. Results: The mean seroprevalence was 41% (89/218) and prevalence of CSFV antigen in blood samples was 32% (39/121) for the 10 districts of Karnataka. Seroprevalence of 61%, 29%, 20%, and 21%; and antigen prevalence of 40%, 50%, 13%, and 12% were recorded for Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum, and Gulbarga divisions of Karnataka, respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of CSF, both for the antigen (32%) and antibody (41%) in Karnataka. Southern Karnataka has the highest seroprevalence (61% in Bangalore and 29% in Mysore divisions), which confirms the endemicity of the disease in that region. This could be attributed to the intensive pig farming practices in the region as compared to Northern Karnataka (Seroprevalence of 20% in Belgaum and 21% in Gulbarga divisions), where the commercial pig farming is still in infantile stages