Evaluation of focal liver lesions by magnetic resonance imaging and correlation with pathology

 Background: The goals of imaging in focal liver lesions is to assess the number, size, location and characterize the lesions as benign / malignant with newer imaging modalities and confirmation of pathology by Fine needle aspiration cytology or by biopsy. This is essential for treatment planning and prognosis.Methods: A total of 42 patients detected to have focal lesions in liver on ultra-sonogram were characterized on MRI on the basis of morphology, signal characteristics, enhancement patterns. Extra hepatic spread is suggested by capsular breach, peritoneal metastases and lymph node enlargement. Tissue diagnosis was obtained by fine needle aspiration cytology/ Tru cut biopsy/ surgery. Hemangiomas and simple cysts were followed up for an average period of 7.5 months by imaging without biopsy.Results: Out of 42 patients, 28 were males (68%) and 14 were females (32%). The age range was 20 to 70 years with a mean age of 51 years for malignant lesions. The right lobe of liver was involved in 26 (62%), left lobe in 7 (17%) and both lobes in 9(21%) cases. There were 24 benign and 18 malignant lesions. The mean ADC value was 2.092 X 10-3 sec/ mm2 and 1.241 X 10-3 sec/ mm2 for benign and malignant lesions respectively. The difference in mean ADC values in both the groups was significant (p<0.0001).Conclusions: MRI was able to predict diagnosis in 38 of the 42 lesions (90%) which were proved on pathology or by follow up imaging. MRI could not provide specific diagnosis in two early abscess, one each of multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma and regenerative nodules. Thus MR imaging is a powerful tool for the evaluation of focal liver lesions

Overlapping sets of transcripts from host and non-host interactions of tomato are expressed early during non-host resistance

Natural immunity present in all the plants against most of the pathogens is called as non-host resistance (NHR). Although NHR is most durable form of resistance, it was less studied compared to other forms of resistance. We compared transcriptional changes in tomato during non-host (Magnaporthe grisea) and compatible (Alternaria alternata f. sp. lycopersici) interactions using Agilent microarray GeneChip containing ~44,000 probe sets. The experiment was designed to understand the early and late responses of tomato leaves inoculated with non-host and compatible pathogens. Microarray data revealed that the expression profiles in the non-host and compatible interactions at 6 h post inoculation (hpi) and 24 hpi largely overlapped indicating that a set of genes are activated during plant-pathogen interaction. However, these genes were expressed much earlier in NHR compared to a compatible interaction. NHR is, therefore, an accelerated and amplified basal defense response. Transcripts involved in energy production (carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthesis) were down-regulated, whereas transcripts associated with catabolic processes (starch and sucrose hydrolysis) were up-regulated in both the interactions at 6 and 24 hpi. We have also identified that the pathway involved in synthesis of volatile compounds like 2-phenylethanol was induced during NHR in tomato. This is the first report of transcriptome profile in tomato during non-host interactions against M. grisea

Characteristics, correlates, and outcomes of childhood and adolescent depressive disorders

Depressive illness beginning early in life can have serious developmental and functional consequences. Therefore, understanding the disorder during this developmental stage is critical for determining its etiology and course, as well as for deveiopinq effective intervention straieqies. This paper summarizes current knoviedqe reqardinq the etiology, phenomenoiogy, correlates, natural course, and consequences of unipolar depression in children and adolescents. Using adult depression as a framevork, the unique aspects of childhood and adolescence are considered in order to better understand depression within a developmental context. The data suggest that the clinical presentation, correlates, and natural course of depression are remarkably similar across the lifespan. There are, however, important developmental differences. Specifically, the familial and psychological context in which depression develops in youngsters is associated with variability in the frequency and nature of depressive symptoms and comorbid conditions among children and adolescents. Maturational differences have also been identified in the neurobiological correlates of depression. These developmental differences may be associated with the observed variability in clinical response to treatment and longitudinal course. Characterization of the developmental differences will be helpful in developing more specific and effective interventions for youngsters, thereby allowing them to reach their full potential as adults

Application of PST Source based DC Link Restoration for IDVR

Interline Dynamic Voltage Restorer (IDVR) comprises of several Dynamic Voltage Restorers (DVRs) connected to different distribution feeders in the power system sharing common energy storage. One of the DVR provides for voltage sag compensation appearing in that feeder, while the other DVRs restore the energy in the common dc-link thus dynamically maintaining the voltage of DC link capacitor constant by importing power from the other feeders. Restoration of the DC link energy plays an important role in the capability of the individual DVR in the IDVR to mitigate deep sags with long durations. In this paper the restoration of the DC link energy of the IDVR is achieved by the utilizing the phase shifting transformers (PST) which assist the respective DVR during its power control mode. A controlled switching action is provided to choose the appropriate connection of PST to the feeders depending upon the voltage sag condition. The proposed novel concept is examined in a test power system with IDVR

Multi-Machine Stability Using Dynamic Inversion Technique

Stability studies of multi machine system are a major concern to power system engineers due to the increasing complexity involved. This paper deals with the application of a nonlinear technique called Dynamic Inversion, to TCSC for the improvement of stability of multi-machine system. The transient stability studies for various cases: without any controller, with 75% line compensation and with Dynamic Inversion technique, are compared. The critical clearing time as well as the maximum loading ability is also discussed. The result for the nonlinear controller is found to be better than all the other cases

Development of Enzymatic Method for Environmental Monitoring of Monocrotophos

In the present study, we have developed a simple, low cost, viable and sensitive enzymatic method for detection, separation and identification of an organophosphorus pesticide, monocrotophos from environmental samples. This technique is based on the inhibition of enzyme, Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) (EC.No. 1.3.5.1). The enzyme (SDH) specifically binds to the substrate (sodium succine) and develops colour in the presence of chromogenic reagent. This chromogenic reagent contains INT (2-(4- Ido-phenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5 phenyl tetrazolium chloride) and PMS (N-methyl phenazonium methosulphate). Chicken liver, egg albumin and Escherichia coli were used as the sources of SDH enzyme. Simple adsorption technique has applied for the preparation of enzyme and substrate strips using wattman no. 3 filter paper as a solid support system. Aqueous standards of monocrotophos was prepared and tested for the inhibition. The concentration as low as six micrograms of monocrotophos was successfully detected. Separation and identification of monocrotophos was done by micro thin layer chromatography (TLC) combined with the enzymatic method using the same enzyme inhibition principle. The developed enzymatic method was successfully applied for detection, separation and identification of monocrotophos from environmental samples

“EVALUATION OF GALPHIMIA GLAUCA STEM METHANOL EXTRACT FRACTIONS FOR ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES”

Objective: This current investigation assesses in vivo central and peripheral analgesic effects and anti-inflammatory properties of fractions obtained from Galphimia glauca (GG) stem methanol extract. Methods: The laboratory models such as Swiss albino mice and Wistar albino rats were employed in the studies. The GG stem methanol extract was subjected to fractionation with solvents such as hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Orally, the dose range of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was given for 1 day for evaluating analgesic (hotplate test, tail clip test, writhing test, and formalin test) and weekdays for assessing anti-inflammatory activity (carrageenan and cotton pellet test methods), respectively. The experimental studies were further conducted for determining the involvement of central and peripheral receptor actions in the analgesic activity of the extract by prechallenging it with naloxone and acetic acid, respectively. The in vivo anti-inflammatory studies were conducted using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model and cotton pellet granuloma test. Results: The LD50 of the extract was found to be &gt;2000 mg/kg b.w. The methanol fraction of 400 mg/kg dose exhibited significant (p≤0.001) and dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. It also exhibited central and peripheral analgesic actions when treated with naloxone and acetic acid, respectively. Conclusion: The results revealed that the stem methanol fraction has more potential in terms of analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties

Detection and Privacy Preservation of Sensitive Attributes Using Hybrid Approach for Privacy Preserving Record Linkage

Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) is a major area of database research which entangles in colluding huge multiple heterogeneous data sets with disjunctive or additional information about an entity while veiling its private information. This paper gives an enhanced algorithm for merging two datasets using Sorted Neighborhood Deterministic approach and an improved Preservation algorithm which makes use of automatic selection of sensitive attributes and pattern mining over dynamic queries. We guarantee strong privacy, less computational complexity and scalability and address the legitimate concerns over data security and privacy with our approach