Long-Term Use of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) for the Treatment of Von Hippel-Lindau Associated Retinal Hemangioblastomas

Retinal hemangioblastomas are the most common manifestation of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease [1-3]. While peripheral retinal hemangioblastomas may be treated by thermal laser treatment or cryotherapy, optic nerve and macular lesions are more difficult to treat [4, 5]. Based on the theoretical benefit of administering anti-VEGF treatment, intra-vitreally administered bevacizumab (Avastin, a general pan-VEGF inhibitor) is attractive [6, 7]

Work related musculoskeletal disorders among medical laboratory professionals: a narrative review

Work related musculoskeletal disorders are common health problem and increasing cause of disability. Laboratory professionals are unique group of healthcare professionals who play an essential part in diagnosis and therapy planning and often their work is associated with potential health hazards. Objective of current study was to review literature on prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among medical laboratory professionals. Electronic databases and bibliographies were searched and identified papers evaluated against inclusion criteria. The searching strategy uncovered 13 reports. Total 7 studies were included for the review. A high degree of heterogeneity among studies was observed. The overall prevalence’s ranges from 40-60%. With neck being more prevalent 18-78%. However additional high quality studies are required in this area

A High-Power Solar PV-fed TISO DC-DC Converter for Electric Vehicle Charging Applications

In this paper, a two-input, single-output (TISO) DC-DC converter for electric vehicle charging applications with solar photovoltaic (PV) as one of the sources is discussed. A novel, simple, and effective control strategy with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to maximize power from PV while maintaining a constant bus voltage is proposed. A 100 V, 100 W TISO DC-DC converter is designed and comprehensive simulations are conducted under different conditions. The system characteristics are validated by comparing the results with a conventional P&O algorithm and multiple step size P&O algorithm. The proposed control strategy can precisely generate control signals to track MPPT while maintaining the bus voltage by controlling the output of a fixed DC source according to the changes in PV generation. The overall efficiency of the proposed approach is 98.67%, and the average output voltage is 99.09 V under selected conditions. The overall average output voltage ripple is 0.22% with the proposed approach, while it is 2.91% and 1.55% with the conventional P&O and multiple step size P&O MPPT techniques, respectively. Further, a 500 V, 17 kW high-power converter is designed and a simulation is carried out. The high-power converter provides an average output voltage of 496.92 V with an overall efficiency of 98.72%, and the average output voltage ripple is 0.16%. The results obtained from the simulation under the selected conditions lead to the conclusion that the converter has better efficiency and less variation in the output voltage at higher power levels with the proposed control technique.publishedVersio

Exploring the Potential of Microgrids in the Effective Utilisation of Renewable Energy : A Comprehensive Analysis of Evolving Themes and Future Priorities Using Main Path Analysis

Microgrids are energy systems that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main electricity grid. Their purpose is to link different energy sources, enhance customer participation in energy markets, and improve energy system efficiency and flexibility. However, regulatory, technical, and financial obstacles hinder their deployment. To comprehend the current state of the field, this study utilized citation network analysis (CNA) methodology to examine over 1500 scholarly publications on microgrid research and development (R&D). The study employed modularity-based clustering analysis, which identified seven distinct research clusters, each related to a specific area of study. Cluster 1, focused on control strategies for microgrids, had the highest proportion of publications (23%) and the maximum citation link count (151), while Cluster 4, which examined microgrid stability, had the lowest proportion of papers (10%). On average, each publication within each cluster had four citation links. The citation network of microgrid research was partitioned using cluster analysis, which aided in identifying the main evolutionary paths of each subfield. This allowed for the precise tracing of their evolution, ultimately pinpointing emerging fronts and challenges. The identification of key pathways led to the discovery of significant studies and emerging patterns, highlighting research priorities in the field of microgrids. The study also revealed several research gaps and concerns, such as the need for further investigation into technical and economic feasibility, legislation, and standardization of microgrid technology. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of microgrid research and identifies potential directions for future research.publishedVersio

The Malignant Pleural Effusion as a Model to Investigate Intratumoral Heterogeneity in Lung Cancer

Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) may be useful as a model to study hierarchical progression of cancer and/or intratumoral heterogeneity. To strengthen the rationale for developing the MPE-model for these purposes, we set out to find evidence for the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in MPE and demonstrate an ability to sustain intratumoral heterogeneity in MPE-primary cultures. Our studies show that candidate lung CSC-expression signatures (PTEN, OCT4, hTERT, Bmi1, EZH2 and SUZ12) are evident in cell pellets isolated from MPE, and MPE-cytopathology also labels candidate-CSC (CD44, cMET, MDR-1, ALDH) subpopulations. Moreover, in primary cultures that use MPE as the source of both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), candidate CSC are maintained over time. This allows us to live-sort candidate CSC-fractions from the MPE-tumor mix on the basis of surface markers (CD44, c-MET, uPAR, MDR-1) or differences in xenobiotic metabolism (ALDH). Thus, MPE-primary cultures provide an avenue to extract candidate CSC populations from individual (isogenic) MPE-tumors. This will allow us to test whether these cells can be discriminated in functional bioassays. Tumor heterogeneity in MPE-primary cultures is evidenced by variable immunolabeling, differences in colony-morphology, and differences in proliferation rates of cell subpopulations. Collectively, these data justify the ongoing development of the MPE-model for the investigation of intratumoral heterogeneity, tumor-TME interactions, and phenotypic validation of candidate lung CSC, in addition to providing direction for the pre-clinical development of rational therapeutics

Tracing the evolution and charting the future of geothermal energy research and development

The gamut of geothermal energy research encompasses the studies aimed at harnessing the abundant and inexhaustible thermal energy within the Earth, and it ranges from heat transfer to the activity of thermophilic microorganisms, 3D printing, and additive manufacturing and impacts the NET ZERO endeavour of humanity. In this paper, computational social network analysis has been employed to discover the subfield clusters of geothermal energy research and further trace the key evolutionary routes from the research corpus. The development, limitations, and opportunities of each cluster are examined, and it becomes evident that the focus of research ranges from geothermal evaluation, long-term effects of borehole heat exchangers, shallow systems that employ urbanisation's ground heating, enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for district heating, combined and hybridised geothermal power generating models, including multi-generation and poly-generation, geothermal fluids, reinjection and their dual nature, environmental effects in geothermal water and mineral scaling, enhanced geothermal systems aiming to increase permeability without causing seismicity, and finally to social acceptability. We address significant questions, such as whether the waste heat is compatible with the idea of green geothermal heat and the elimination of pollutants and find that further R&D and technological advancements are required for this ubiquitous clean energy to get wider acceptance and employment. The future of this energy depends on the rational and scientifically sound exploration and use of the resources, just as in the case of fossil fuels, and thus precludes geothermal energy as a win-all solution to the energy needs of the whole world

A Retrospective Audit of Widal Testing For Enteric Fever in the City Of Ahmedabad

Introduction: Widal test has been used extensively for the sero-diagnosis of Enteric fever in India, however, its accuracy and reliability are debatable. We studied widal testing and widal positivity rates in the entire city of Ahmedabad for the diagnosis of Enteric Fever. Methods We screened all 1700 possible diagnostic laboratory facilities, in Ahmedabad, in the public and private sector. We performed telephonic surveys for the initial filtering of facilities that could be conducting widal testing. It was followed by physical visits to probable facilities to confirm testing methods and preservation of reports of widal testing. We followed a systematic process for screening and selection of 23 laboratories, which conducted widal tests and had reliable data. While 14 laboratories refused to share data, data provided by three of them were inappropriate and couldn’t be used.  We finally analyzed data from four large public hospitals, one private trust hospital and one corporate laboratory for variable periods in a span of 15 years (2000 – 2015). Result: The Widal testing rate was found to be 8.7% and widal positivity as 12.5% in a sample of 1.2 million clinically suspected in-patients. In 15 years, the private hospital had admitted 1/10th as many cases as all the public hospitals together. However, the widal testing and positivity rates were similar in both. We observed a lower proportion of widal positivity among children below 12 years and a disproportionate, but insignificant, gender distribution of widal positivity. Conclusion: This study indicates that the widal test, which is meant to be an initial screening test, is widely used in the city. We propose linkage of testing and reporting of widal with other more reliable and accurate tests such as Typhidot and blood culture in order to strengthen our knowledge of enteric fever epidemiology in India

Advances in materials informatics: A review

Materials informatics (MI) is aimed to accelerate the materials discovery using computational intelligence and data science. Progress of MI depends on the strength of database and artificial intelligence protocols comprising machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) frameworks. Conventional ML models are simple and interpretable, relying on statistical techniques and algorithms to learn patterns and make predictions with limited data. Conversely, DL, an advancement of ML, employs mathematical neural networks to automatically extract features and handle intricate data at the cost of data size and computational complexity. This work aims to provide a state-of-the-art understanding of the tools, data sources and techniques used in MI and their benefits and challenges. We evaluate the growth of MI through its subfields and track the main path of its advancement for artificial intelligence-driven materials discovery. The advancements in computational intelligence via machine learning and deep learning algorithms in different fields of materials science are discussed. As a specific example, understanding of materials properties using microstructural images is reviewed. Future demands and research prospects in materials science utilizing materials informatics have also been comprehensively analyzed