The Incidence of Burns Among Sex-Trafficking Victims in India

Sex trafficking remains a flagrant violation of human rights, creating many public health concerns. During the initiation period, these victims experience acts of violence including gang rapes, subjecting them to traumatic injuries that include burns. Furthermore, lack of access to health care, particularly surgical, keeps them from receiving treatment for these functionally debilitating contractures caused by burns. This piece provides an overview of burns among sex-trafficked victims in India and the efforts by Cents of Relief to address the associated surgical burden of disease

Activating ZnO nanorods photoanodes in visible light by CdS surface sensitiser

Thin films of c-axis aligned uniform ZnO nanorods (NRs) were fabricated on to fluorine-doped tin oxide-coated soda lime glass substrate by a two-step chemical route. Thereafter ZnO NRs/CdS core shell structures were successfully synthesised by depositing CdS layer on top of vertically aligned ZnO NRs using less hazardous nanocrystal layer deposition technique. The presence of CdS in ZnO NRs/CdS core shell structures was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Examination of structure and morphology of the fabricated films by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that both films have one-dimensional hexagonal wurtzite structure. Optical properties evaluated from ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectra demonstrated better photo response of ZnO NRs/CdS core shell structure with respect to bare ZnO NR structure. Optical to chemical conversion efficiency of ZnO NRs/CdS photoanode was found to be similar to 1.75 times higher than bare ZnO NRs photoanode in photo electrochemical water splitting under visible light

Mastoid Osteoma

Introduction Osteoma of the mastoid region is an uncommon benign tumor of bone. Osteomas may occur in the external auditory canals but are reported to be very rare in the mastoid region, with about 150 cases reported in literature. Case Report A 20-year-old man presented with painless lump behind the right ear since last 2 years. On examination a 3x3 cm tumour was present in the right post-auricular region. HRCT scan showing hyper-attenuating area close to the right mastoid cortex, measuring approximately 3x3cm, spherical, with cleavage areas between the tumour and the mastoid external cortex. Surgical excision was performed on cosmetic grounds. Postoperative period was uneventful. Discussion Osteoma over the mastoid region is rare and mainly asymptomatic with excellent prognosis after complete removal of the lesion

In vivo printing of growth factor-eluting adhesive scaffolds improves wound healing

Acute and chronic wounds affect millions of people around the world, imposing a growing financial burden on patients and hospitals. Despite the application of current wound management strategies, the physiological healing process is disrupted in many cases, resulting in impaired wound healing. Therefore, more efficient and easy-to-use treatment modalities are needed. In this study, we demonstrate the benefit of in vivo printed, growth factor-eluting adhesive scaffolds for the treatment of full-thickness wounds in a porcine model. A custom-made handheld printer is implemented to finely print gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into the wounds. In vitro and in vivo results show that the in situ GelMA crosslinking induces a strong scaffold adhesion and enables printing on curved surfaces of wet tissues, without the need for any sutures. The scaffold is further shown to offer a sustained release of VEGF, enhancing the migration of endothelial cells in vitro. Histological analyses demonstrate that the administration of the VEGF-eluting GelMA scaffolds that remain adherent to the wound bed significantly improves the quality of healing in porcine wounds. The introduced in vivo printing strategy for wound healing applications is translational and convenient to use in any place, such as an operating room, and does not require expensive bioprinters or imaging modalities

Isolation of Progenitors that Exhibit Myogenic/Osteogenic Bipotency In Vitro by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting from Human Fetal Muscle

Summary Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) strategies to purify distinct cell types from the pool of fetal human myofiber-associated (hMFA) cells were developed. We demonstrate that cells expressing the satellite cell marker PAX7 are highly enriched within the subset of CD45−CD11b−GlyA−CD31−CD34−CD56intITGA7hi hMFA cells. These CD45−CD11b−GlyA−CD31−CD34−CD56intITGA7hi cells lack adipogenic capacity but exhibit robust, bipotent myogenic and osteogenic activity in vitro and engraft myofibers when transplanted into mouse muscle. In contrast, CD45−CD11b−GlyA−CD31−CD34+ fetal hMFA cells represent stromal constituents of muscle that do not express PAX7, lack myogenic function, and exhibit adipogenic and osteogenic capacity in vitro. Adult muscle likewise contains PAX7+ CD45−CD11b−GlyA−CD31−CD34−CD56intITGA7hi hMFA cells with in vitro myogenic and osteogenic activity, although these cells are present at lower frequency in comparison to their fetal counterparts. The ability to directly isolate functionally distinct progenitor cells from human muscle will enable novel insights into muscle lineage specification and homeostasis

Attenuation of Experimental Aortic Aneurysm Formation in P-Selectin Knockout Mice

The aim of this study was to determine the role of P-selectin, an adhesion molecule found on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells during experimental aortic aneurysm formation. Infrarenal abdominal aortas of C57 black wild-type (WT) mice and P-selectin knockout (PKO) mice were measured in situ and then perfused with porcine pancreatic elastase (0.332 U mL). Whole blood was drawn from the tail artery on day 2 pre-perfusion to determine total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts. On day 14 postperfusion, aortic diameters (AD) of WT mice ( N 19) and PKO mice ( N 9) were measured. An aortic aneurysm was defined as a 100 or greater increase in AD from pre-perfusion measurement. Immunohistochemistry, including H&E, trichrome and von Gieson staining, was performed on harvested aortic tissue. Statistical analysis was performed by t -test and Fisher's exact test. There were no significant differences in peripheral leukocyte counts at baseline between the two groups. WT mice had significantly larger AD compared to PKO mice at day 14 postperfusion (116 vs. 38 , P < 0.001). Aortic aneurysm penetrance was 52 in WT mice, while 0 ( P 0.01) of PKO mice formed aneurysms. On histologic examination, WT mouse aortas were associated with a significant inflammatory response and degradation of elastin and collagen fibers, while PKO mouse aortas lacked signs of inflammation or vessel wall injury. P-selectin deficiency attenuates aneurysm formation in the elastase aortic perfusion model. This was associated with a blunting of the inflammatory response and preserved vessel wall intergrity following elastase perfusion in the P-selectin knockout mice. Further investigation to elucidate the independent contributions of endothelial cell and platelet P-selectin in experimental aortic aneurysm formation is required.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73125/1/annals.1383.014.pd

Aerobic Exercise and Scaffolds with Hierarchical Porosity Synergistically Promote Functional Recovery Post Volumetric Muscle Loss

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is a composite loss of skeletal muscle tissue (greater than 20%) that heals with minimal muscle regeneration, substantial fibrosis, and subsequent functional deficits. Standard treatment, involving free functional muscle transfer and physical therapy, cannot restore full muscle function following VML. Tissue engineered scaffolds, 3D structural templates that mimic native extracellular matrix, are promising to enhance functional muscle formation and recovery. Bioprinted 3D scaffolds are engineered using bioinks, created from scaffolding material, cells, and growth factors, to replicate skeletal muscle architecture with precise control over their spatial deposition. METHODS: The present study evaluates a 3D-printed foam-like scaffold for the treatment of VML in a murine model. This colloidal foam-like scaffold was developed to have high porosity to improve tissue ingrowth, in contrast to dense polymeric scaffolds that routinely resulted in very poor tissue ingrowth, and sufficient stiffness to maintain its shape

Exchange Interaction in Binuclear Complexes with Rare Earth and Copper Ions: A Many-Body Model Study

We have used a many-body model Hamiltonian to study the nature of the magnetic ground state of hetero-binuclear complexes involving rare-earth and copper ions. We have taken into account all diagonal repulsions involving the rare-earth 4f and 5d orbitals and the copper 3d orbital. Besides, we have included direct exchange interaction, crystal field splitting of the rare-earth atomic levels and spin-orbit interaction in the 4f orbitals. We have identified the inter-orbital $4f$ repulsion, U$_{ff}$ and crystal field parameter, $\Delta_f$ as the key parameters involved in controlling the type of exchange interaction between the rare earth $4f$ and copper 3d spins. We have explored the nature of the ground state in the parameter space of U$_{ff}$, $\Delta_f$, spin-orbit interaction strength $\lambda$ and the $4f$ filling n$_f$. We find that these systems show low-spin or high-spin ground state depending on the filling of the $4f$ levels of the rare-earth ion and ground state spin is critically dependent on U$_{ff}$ and $\Delta_f$. In case of half-filling (Gd(III)) we find a reentrant low-spin state as U$_{ff}$ is increased, for small values of $\Delta_f$, which explains the recently reported apparent anomalous anti-ferromagnetic behaviour of Gd(III)-radical complexes. By varying U$_{ff}$ we also observe a switch over in the ground state spin for other fillings . We have introduced a spin-orbit coupling scheme which goes beyond L-S or j-j coupling scheme and we find that spin-orbit coupling does not significantly alter the basic picture.Comment: 22 pages, 11 ps figure

Outcome of Post-Operative Mastoid Cavity Obliteration with Autologous Adipose Tissue

Introduction Mastoid operations have been in practice for over four centuries for suppurative conditions of the ear. Intact canal wall mastoidectomy has the advantage of better functional results while canal wall down mastoidectomy offers excellent exposure for disease eradication and post operative monitoring but is associated with significant cavity problems. In order to overcome the problems associated with canal wall down procedure while retaining its advantages the concept of mastoid cavity obliteration was introduced. This study analysed the outcomes of mastoid cavity obliteration and to assess the outcomes of mastoid cavity obliteration with autologous adipose tissue. Materials and Methods A prospective, experimental, randomized study was conducted over a period of 18 months among patients presenting with active squamous variety of Chronic Otitis Media. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups, A and B. Both groups underwent canal wall down Mastoidectomy followed by obliteration with autologous adipose tissue in Group B . Results In group A, the mean duration required for complete epithelialization was 10.8 weeks. In group B, the average time taken for complete epithelialization was 5.6 weeks. All cases had their graft intact at the end of 12 weeks. Debris was present in group A for a mean duration of 9.47 weeks. In group B, debris was found for a mean duration of 3.33 weeks. Patients from group A complained of discharge from their ears for a mean duration of 7.47 weeks. In group B the same symptom persisted over 3.33 weeks. Conclusion Cavity problems encountered is considerably less in the group obliterated with adipose tissue