Ankrd2 modulates NF-kB mediated inflammatory responses during muscle differentiation

Adaptive responses of skeletal muscle regulate the nuclear shuttling of the sarcomeric protein Ankrd2 that can transduce different stimuli into specific adaptations by interacting with both structural and regulatory proteins. In a genome-wide expression study on Ankrd2 knockout or overexpressing primary proliferating or differentiating myoblasts, we found an inverse correlation between Ankrd2 levels and the expression of proinflammatory genes and identified Ankrd2 as a potent repressor of inflammatory responses through direct interaction with the NF-kB repressor subunit p50. In particular, we identified Gsk3ß as a novel direct target of the p50:Ankrd2 repressosome dimer and found that the recruitment of p50 by Ankrd2 is dependent on Akt2-mediated phosphorylation of Ankrd2 upon oxidative stress during myogenic differentiation. Surprisingly, the absence of Ankrd2 in slow muscle negatively affected the expression of cytokines and key calcineurin-dependent genes associated with the slow-twitch muscle program. Thus, our findings support a model in which alterations in Ankrd2 protein and phosphorylation levels modulate the balance between physiological and pathological inflammatory responses in muscle

Forecasting the Anti-Rabies Vaccine Demand at Jawaharlal Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer, Rajasthan: A Comparative Analysis based on Time Series Model

Background: In India, high mortality and morbidity rates of human rabies is observed. Hence, a structured surveillance system is yet to be put in place for public health discussion. At the tertiary care hospital and all public health centres, requirement of anti-rabies vaccine is needed in advance to predict the upcoming months coverage so that wastage of vaccine is minimum. Objective: To find a suitable model for forecasting the appropriate stock of anti-rabies vaccines to avoid shortage and over-supply at anti rabies clinic. Methods and Material: This was a record based cross sectional study, conducted at anti rabies clinic of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer. Data of used anti rabies vaccine was taken from immunization inventory during the period from 2017 to 2020. Time series analysis based on Holt-Winter and Box-Jenkins methods were carried out to predict the need of vaccine. Results: Study series was not stationary and stationarity was observed by taken difference in the observation between two consequent months. Residuals of the series were normally distributed and independent to each other. ARIMA(0, 1, 1) was the best model in comparison to Holt-Winter model for prediction because of low value of model selection criterion.  The forecasted value for anti-rabies vaccine was done for the year 2021. Conclusions: The following study concluded that time series can be used as a tool to forecast anti-rabies vaccine coverage and will help the policy makers to formulate appropriate plans and strategies and improve the management of vaccination resources and inventory

Charcot’s Neuroarthropathy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Charcot’s neuroarthropathy (CN) is a progressive disabling complication of diabetes mellitus, usually seen 10 years after diagnosis of diabetes. There is widespread destruction of affected joint and bones around it leading to severe deformity and loss of function. Its treatment may require multiple corrective surgeries or even amputation apart from application of cast, glycemic control and bisphosphonates. Here, we report such a case of CN, which was treated with multiple strategies aggressively to a good outcome

Structural, Dielectric, Semiconducting and optical properties of High-Energy Ball Milled YFeO3 Nano-particles

In this work, we report the effects of calcination temperature on structural, dielectric, semiconducting and optical properties of YFeO3 nanoparticles prepared by a high energy ball milling process. The structural analysis of the X-ray diffraction data shows that YFeO3 exists in orthorhombic as well as in hexagonal mixed-phase states. The Rietveld analysis confirms that orthorhombic YFeO3 crystallizes into Pnma space group. The optical band gap of YFeO3 reduces from 1.96 eV to 1.68 eV with increasing the calcination temperature of the YFeO3 sample. The bandgap reducing effect might be attributed to the increased crystallite size and decreased lattice strain which is confirmed by the Williamson-Hall plot method. The obtained low bandgap YFeO3 ceramic may provide a new possibility to develop eco-friendly Ferroelectric photovoltaic devices

A comparative study between laser hemorrhoidoplasty with digital-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation and conventional (Milligan-Morgan) hemorrhoidectomy

Background: Hemorrhoids have a much higher incidence than rectum and colon diseases worldwide. The prevalence was estimated to be between 2.9% and 27.9% among the worldwide population, of which 4% are symptomatic. Based on the Gauss method, the highest incidence was present in patients aged between 45 and 65 years. Aims and Objectives: To compare laser hemorrhoidoplasty with digital-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) and conventional (Milligan-Morgan) open hemorrhoidectomy procedures. Materials and Methods: A prospective follow-up study was undertaken in the Department of Surgery, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, from January 2020 to June 2021. In this comparative and prospective study, 60 patients were included, of whom 30 were treated with open surgical hemorrrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan) and 30 were treated with laser hemorrhoidoplasty with the DGHAL method. Results: Male patients numbered 41 and female patients numbered 19. Between laser hemorrhoidoplasty with DGHAL and the open surgical hemorrrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan) approach, there were significant differences in operating time, blood loss, bleeding; and early postoperative pain. In terms of early postoperative pain, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.001). The mean operational time for laser hemorrhoidoplasty with DGHAL was 22.57±1.794 min, compared to 29.43±3.664 min for the open surgical hemorrrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan) method (P<0.002). Conclusion: Laser hemorrhoidoplasty with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) is safe and effective in cases of all grades of hemorrhoids as compared to open surgical (Milligan-Morgan) hemorrhoidectomy

Comparative efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections in the management of knee osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis management includes a myriad of treatment modalities. This study compared the effects of corticosteroid and Hylan G-F 20 injections on knee osteoarthritis outcomes. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either corticosteroid or Hylan G-F 20 injections. Outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, knee society rating system scores, and visual analog scale scores, collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical parameters were comparable between both groups. The corticosteroid group demonstrated a significant decrease in the WOMAC score over time (p&lt;0.001). Hylan G-F 20 group showed significant improvements in both the WOMAC scores and Visual Analog Scale scores over time (p&lt;0.01). Gender-based sub-analysis suggested both treatments were effective in men, while in women, significant benefits were seen only with Hylan G-F 20. Conclusions: Both corticosteroid and Hylan G-F 20 demonstrated efficacy in managing knee osteoarthritis, albeit in different domains. The results suggest the need for individualized treatment plans and further research into potential gender-based variations in treatment response

Comparison of 2D and 3D gamma evaluation method in patient specific intensity-modulated radiotherapy quality assurance

Background: In this study we have compared 2D and 3D gamma pass percentage for a variety of acceptance criteria for 40 step-and-shoot IMRT (intensity-modulated radiotherapy) plans. Methods: Treatment planning was done for 40 patient including head and neck, abdomen and pelvis simulated on the Siemens Healthcare GmBH CT simulator with images of 3 mm slice thickness using treatment planning system (TPS) (Monaco Version 5.11.03, Elekta medical system) using Monte Carlo algorithm. The gamma evaluation was done using PTW VeriSoft 8.1 which allowed us to perform 2D and 3D gamma index calculation, slice-by-slice comparison of measured and calculated dose distributions, measured dose was compared against the calculated DICOMRT dose on the OCTAVIUS 3D phantom from TPS. Results: The average 3D and 2D gamma passing in coronal planes were 96.61±0.45% and 96.27±0.78% for 5 mm/5% criteria, 93.74±4.17% and 91.9±4.88% for 3 mm/3% criteria, 85.83±7.58% and 82.41±8.06% for 2 mm/2% criteria and 62.8±9.42% and 59.18±9.52% for 1 mm/1% criteria respectively for all cases. The average gamma passing rate for 3D gamma analysis was 0.35%, 1.97 %, 3.97% and 5.78% higher when compared with 2D coronal planar analyses for 5 mm/5%, 3 mm/3%, 2 mm/2% and 1 mm/1% DTA criteria respectively. Conclusions: It is concluded in the study that 3 D gamma passing rate is higher compared to 2D gamma passing for head and neck, abdomen and pelvis cases