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Objective:To assess cardiac functions in adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy.Methods:A prospective, interventional, academic centre based study was conducted on 25 children with adenotonsillar or tonsillar hypertrophy. All patients underwent pulsed 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography, pulse oximetry and 12-lead electrocardiography. These assessments were repeated three months later to determine the impact of adenotonsillectomy.Results:There were significant differences in mean arterial oxygen saturation, pulmonary flow acceleration time and mean pulmonary artery pressure post-operatively. Adenotonsillectomy led to significant improvements in pulmonary flow acceleration time and pulmonary flow velocity time index, while tonsillectomy resulted in right ventricular early and late diastolic velocity index improvement.Conclusion:Upper airway obstruction in children affects cardiac functioning and this can subsequently lead to morbidity and delayed growth. Hence, revision of surgical indications is advocated in adenotonsillar hypertrophy to avoid irreversible damage to cardiopulmonary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome (HFS) is rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the deposition of amorphous hyaline material in skin and visceral organs. It represents a disease spectrum with infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) being the severe form and juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF) being the mild form. Dermatologic manifestations include thickened skin, perianal nodules, and facial papules, gingival hyperplasia, large subcutaneous tumors on the scalp, hyperpigmented plaques over the metacarpophalangeal joints and malleoli, and joint contractures. ISH shows a severe visceral involvement, recurrent infections, and early death. We report a case of 2.5-year-old female patient who presented with HFS who had overlapping features of both ISH and JHF. To the best of our knowledge, very few cases of HFS have been reported in Indian literature till date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites widespread throughout the plant kingdom involved in many physiological and biochemical functions. Amongst the flavonoids, flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin) are known for their direct free radical scavenging activity in vitro, but studies on their antioxidant potential and interaction with antioxidant enzymes in vivo are lacking. Here, the flavonoid pathway was engineered by silencing a gene encoding flavonol synthase (FLS) in tobacco to direct the flow of metabolites towards production of flavan-3-ols. FLS silencing reduced flavonol content 17-53%, while it increased catechin and epicatechin content 51-93% and 18-27%, respectively. The silenced lines showed a significant increase in expression of genes for dihydroflavonol reductase and anthocyanidin synthase, a downstream gene towards epicatechin production, with no significant change in expression of other genes of the flavonoid pathway. Effects of accumulation of flavan-3-ols in FLS silenced lines on transcript level and activities of antioxidant enzymes were studied. Transcripts of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APx), and catalase (CAT) increased, while glutathione-S-transferase (GST), decreased in FLS silenced lines. Enhanced activity of all the antioxidant enzymes was observed in silenced tobacco lines. To validate the affect of flavan-3-ols on the antioxidant system, in vitro experiments were conducted with tobacco seedlings exposed to two concentrations of catechin (10 and 50 μ m) for 2 days. In vitro exposed seedlings produced similar levels of transcripts and activity of antioxidant enzymes as FLS silenced seedlings. Results suggest that flavan-3-ols (catechin) might be increasing activity of GR, Apx and CAT by elevating their mRNAs levels. Since these enzymes are involved in scavenging of reactive oxygen species, this strategy would help in tailoring crops for enhanced catechin production as well as making them tolerant to oxidative stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To report the outcome with radiotherapy and concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue treated and followed up at single institution over a period of 15 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out by auditing the medical records of 103 patients treated at our institution between 1991 and 2006. Mean age with standard deviation of patients in the Radiotherapy only (group I) and chemoradiotherapy (group II) was 55.26 ± 14.16 and 49.81 ± 12.16 years. 46 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone and 57 patients were treated with concurrent chemo radiotherapy using infusion cisplatinum 3 weekly and 5 fluorouracil twice weekly. Mean follow up was 13.35 months. All the patients characteristic and treatment characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: There were 81 men and 22 women in the study. Group I contains 15 and 31 cases of stage III and IV tumors while group II contains 19 and 38 cases of stage III and IV respectively. Group II has shown improved loco regional control rate for the T3 and T4 tumors as compared to group I. Disease free survival and overall survival in the group II is 25.51 months and 22.53 months while group I has 8.67 months and 6.74 months respectively. Grade III mucosal toxicity incidence was higher in group II as compared to group I. CONCLUSIONS: In locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of base of tongue tumors concomitant chemoradiotherapy with infusional cisplatinum and 5 fluorouracil results in higher disease free and overall survival as compared to radiotherapy as single modality. This better tumor response with chemoradiotherapy comes at cost of higher incidence of mucosal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: We investigated the physico-biochemical changes in saliva and its relation to quality of life (QOL) in head and neck cancer patients following conventional radiation therapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 53 consecutive head and neck cancer patients underwent conventional RT using telecobalt photons. We analyzed objective sialometry and sialochemical parameters of salivary gland function and a physician reported Oral Assessment Protocol to assess the patients' QOL during (baseline, 3 and 6 weeks) and post RT (3 and 6 months). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (version 15.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Stimulated salivary flow rates had shown a consistent decline during and in post-RT analysis (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was seen between mean salivary flow rates at 6 months post-RT and mean salivary electrolytes and amylase levels during the same period (P < 0.001). Mean global QOL scores had significantly worsened during RT and were still significantly poorer at 6 months than initial pre-RT levels (P < 0.001). Further, significant correlation was established between salivary pH values with global QOL scores at 6 months (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Radiation-induced hyposalivation invariably persists and correlates with poor global QOL scores seen during and following conventional RT. Post RT, there is a trend for biochemical reversal toward pre-irradiation levels suggesting a subsiding inflammation or a probable functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: To evaluate the radiation-induced sequelae on thyroid gland and influence of concomitant chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out on 53 patients of head and neck carcinoma in the age group of 30-75 years (55.9 years). Patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy (52.8%) or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with 5-flourouracil and cisplatinum (47.1%). The target volume included the thyroid gland, which received an average dose of 60 Gy in 30 fractions. Thyroid function tests were done at the start of radiotherapy. Follow up thyroid function tests were done on completion of radiotherapy treatment, at 3 months, at 6 months after treatment, and then every 6 months. Follow up ranges from 3-51 months (median: 27 months). RESULTS: Subclinical hypothyroidism was seen in 4 (7.5%) of the 53 patients. In three patients, the incidence was seen after a gap of 12 months and in one patient after a gap of 35 months. Of the four patients, three were of age ≤41 years and 1 was of age 66 years. In younger age group (30-39 years) patients, TSH shows statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in TSH values. No significant difference was observed in radiation and chemo-radiation treatment groups (P > 0.10) . CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism is an important sequelae seen in the treated patients of head and neck when thyroid is in the radiation field. The patients with age less than 45 years are more prone to develop hypothyroidism. Chemotherapy has not affected the incidence of hypothyroidism significantly. Also, the dose of radiation has not shown any statistically significant difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

rapid method for simultaneous determination of fluorine and chlorine in radioactive liquid wastes with ion chromatography after pyrohydrolysis separation was proposed for routine analysis. The elements were separated from radioactive liquid wastes by pyrohydrolysis and were subsequently determined with ion chromatograpy. Total time taken to determine these elements is about 45 min including 30 min for the pyrohydrolysis and 15 min for ion chromatography. The results of recovery tests ranged 95% or above. The limits of detection for F and Cl are 0.5 and 0.8 mg kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Response of single agent chemotherapy in improving quality of life in patients with recurrent head and neck cancers. Methods and material: This is a study of the 18 patients with advanced cancers of head and neck, who had failed earlier attempts of radical treatment with Surgery, Radiotherapy ± chemotherapy and have residual or recurrent tumours, were treated with single agent Injection Methotrexate 50 mg/m2 weekly. Follow up visit complaints and clinical examination details were recorded. History regarding pain, speech and diet was collected for every visit. Severity of pain was divided with the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 3.0 pain scales. Symptom control was done with analgesics, antiemetic and infection control. Results: Weekly single agent chemotherapy with injection Methotrexate has significantly improved the quality of life of patients. 38.8% of patients have shown good response with decrease in the tumour bulk by more than 50% and other 39% of patients have stable disease on Injection Methotrexate. 22.2% patients have shown disease progression on single agent chemotherapy. Overall 83.3% patients have shown improvement in Quality of life in terms of symptomatic control. After 6 weekly treatments with injection methotrexate 63% patients were pain free with 16% patients reported decrease in pain. 87.5% of patients have shown improvement in speech and diet. Improvement in symptoms has shown decrease in depression in cancer patients. Grade 3 toxicity observed was Neutropenia (11.1%), anaemia (11.1%) and Mucositis (16.6%) which was managed adequately. Median survival with good quality of life is 5.4 months. Conclusions: Single agent methotrexate chemotherapy on an out-patient basis can provide good quality of life. Decrease in pain along with improvement in speech and diet has shown decrease in incidence of depression and overall positive impact on psychosocial status. Few cases have shown sustained regression of gross disease adding to maintained quality of life with better socio-economic compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for impedance of an annular patch loaded by multiple posts is presented using extended cavity model. The post is loaded away from the centre of the ring. The input impedance for dominant mode is calculated with this method and compared with the measured and simulated results. For the simulation IE3D software is used based on method of moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shorting post loaded annular microstrip antenna is of considerable interest. Recent works have presented formulations for annular microstrip patch with a shorting post located at the centre of a circular disc, thereby converting the structure to an annular ring with a centre shot. A theoretical formulation for multiple post loading (up to ten posts) of an annular patch is presented. The posts are located away from the centre of the patch and are thin in diameter with respect to the diameter of the ring. The formulation accurately predicts resonant frequency. For an accurate formulation, the shorting posts have been considered as inductive impedances at the frequency of interest. It is shown that for a short loaded ring, TM01 is the dominant mode. The simple tool presented can be suitably modified to incorporate switching diodes or varactor diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the design and development of a novel twin conjugate matched feed horn at Ku-band is presented. This type of multimode feed cancels the undesired high cross-polar components generated because of offset reflector geometry having lower f/D and higher offset angle. Three symmetrically located axial arrays of radial posts are used in the circular waveguide for the generation of TE21 mode along with the dominant TE11 mode. The design and development of a Ku-band twin conjugate feed horns were carried out. The measured return loss of both the feed horns are better than 22 dB, and there is an excellent agreement of measured and simulated radiation pattern of the feed. The simulated cross-polar bandwidth is 5% for better than 10 dB improvement in cross-polarization for an offset parabolic reflector antenna having f/D = 0.5 and offset angle = 90°. In this work, it has been established that the conjugation operation as reported in single feed is maintained in spite of aperture sharing of the twin feed horns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stability indicating RP-HPLC method has been developed and subsequently validated for Sirolimus. The proposed RP-HPLC method utilizes Phenomenex, C18, 3 µm, 4 mm x 150 mm column, mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (65:35 V/V) and UV detection at 277 nm using a photodiode array detector in the stressed sample chromatograms. Crushed sirolimus tablets were exposed to thermal, photolytic, aqueous and oxidation stress conditions and stressed samples were analysed by the proposed method. Peak homogeneity data of the drug peaks were obtained using photodiode array detector. The stressed sample chromatograms demonstrated the specificity of the method for their estimation in presence of degradants. 99.66% degradation was observed in acid degradation study. on the other hand, no degradation was observed in aqueous condition. The given method was linear over a range of 0.1566 mg/mL to 0.4699 mg/mL. The mean recovery was found to be 99.23%. Acid degradant was separated by HPTLC and spectroscopic analysis was performed for the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the use of controlling the ambient during spin coating to finely control the solvent evaporation rate in order to obtain varying degree of phase separation in P3HT:PCBM blend films and study the effect on device performance. To understand the basic phenomenon driving the phase separation, modelling study has been performed, which show that the phase separation is due to PCBM diffusion towards the nucleation site once its solubility limit is crossed during spin coating process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The old axiom that a typical gall stone sufferer is a fat, fertile, female of fifty, is only partially true, as the disease is found in women soon after their first delivery and also in underweight and thin people. So while searching for other parameters, iron deficiency was found to be a new parameter of interest in the aetiology of gall stones. Aims: The study was aimed at establishing the role of iron deficiency in the supersaturation of bile with cholesterol and thus formation of gallstones. Setting and Design: 50 patients suffering from Cholelithiasis were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of patients with normal serum iron levels (non-anaemic) and group B, of patients with less than normal serum iron (anaemic). Serum cholesterol and gall bladder bile cholesterol of both the groups were studied and compared. Materials and Methods: 50 patients of Cholelithiasis, confirmed by Ultrasonography (USG) were divided into anaemic and non-anaemic groups, based on serum iron levels. Serum cholesterol and gall bladder bile cholesterol of both the groups were estimated. Statistical Analysis Used: Students' t-test. The p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total serum cholesterol was not different in gall stone formers from that of the general population. Gall bladder bile cholesterol was significantly higher in anaemic, than in non-anaemic individuals. Conclusion: Low serum iron levels lead to bile supersaturation with respect to cholesterol, which leads to gallstone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The old axiom that a typical gall stone sufferer is a fat, fertile, female of fifty, is only partially true, as the disease is found in women soon after their first delivery and also in underweight and thin people. So while searching for other parameters, iron deficiency was found to be a new parameter of interest in the aetiology of gall stones. Aims: The study was aimed at establishing the role of iron deficiency in the supersaturation of bile with cholesterol and thus formation of gallstones. Setting and Design: 50 patients suffering from Cholelithiasis were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of patients with normal serum iron levels (non-anaemic) and group B, of patients with less than normal serum iron (anaemic). Serum cholesterol and gall bladder bile cholesterol of both the groups were studied and compared. Materials and Methods: 50 patients of Cholelithiasis, confirmed by Ultrasonography (USG) were divided into anaemic and non-anaemic groups, based on serum iron levels. Serum cholesterol and gall bladder bile cholesterol of both the groups were estimated. Statistical Analysis Used: Students' t-test. The p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total serum cholesterol was not different in gall stone formers from that of the general population. Gall bladder bile cholesterol was significantly higher in anaemic, than in non-anaemic individuals. Conclusion: Low serum iron levels lead to bile supersaturation with respect to cholesterol, which leads to gallstone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, environmentally friendly protocol for the selective synthesis of the 4-aryl substituted acyclic 1,3-dienes and the medicinally potent triazines has been developed using a domestic microwave oven with excellent yields and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, compact circularly polarized triband (L5‐, L1‐, and S‐bands) staired rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (RDRA) is designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested for navigation satellite applications. For triband RDRA, circular polarization is generated in L5‐band (1.164‐1.188 GHz) and L1‐band (1.565‐1.585 GHz) using dual section Wilkinson power divider (WPD) with wideband 90° phase shifter. For S‐band (2.48‐2.5 GHz), circular polarization is obtained by single section WPD with wideband 90° phase shifter. Ground plane footprint area of triband staired RDRA is miniaturized to 0.16λ0 × 0.16λ0 (40 mm × 40 mm) at lowest resonance frequency f1 of 1.176 GHz using high dielectric constant (εr = 38.67) dielectric resonator material and high dielectric constant (εr = 10.2) dielectric substrate (Rogers RO3210). Broadside radiation patterns of triband RDRA are generated for L5‐, L1‐, and S‐bands using TE111y, TE113y, and TE112y modes, respectively. Simulated and measured return loss at port‐1 of RDRA for L5‐, L1‐bands and port‐2 of RDRA for S‐band are better than 10 dB. Simulated and measured isolation between port‐1 and port‐2 of triband RDRA are found to be better than 13 dB for all bands. Peak right hand circular polarization gain is in the range of 0.6 to 4.5 dB over all bands for simulated and measured values. Simulated axial ratio is found to be better than 3 dB of triband RDRA. While measured values it is in the range of 0.91 to 7.02 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Image intensifiers have become popular due to the concept of minimally invasive surgeries leading to decreasing invasiveness, decreased operative time, and less morbidity. The drawback, however, is an increased risk of radiation exposure to surgeon, patient and theatre staff. These exposures have been of concern due to their potential ability to produce biological effects. The present study was embarked upon to analyse the amount of radiation received by orthopedic surgeons in India using standard precautionary measures and also to bring awareness about the use of image intensifier safety in everyday practice. Materials and Methods: Twelve right-handed male orthopedic surgeons (4 senior consultants, 5 junior consultants and 3 residents) were included in a three month prospective study for radiation exposure measurement with adequate protection measures in all procedures requiring C Arm fluoroscopy. Each surgeon was provided with 5 Thermo Luminescent Dosimeter (TLD) badges which were tagged at the level of neck, chest, gonads and both wrists. Operative time and exposure time of each procedure was recorded. Exposure dose of each badge at the end of the study was obtained and the results were analysed. Results: Mean radiation exposure to all the parts were well within permissible limits. There was a significantly positive correlation between the exposure time and the exposure dose for the left wrist (r=0.735, p<0.01) and right wrist (r=0.58, p<0.05). The dominant hand had the maximum exposure overall. Conclusion: Orthopaedic surgeons are not classified radiation workers. The mean exposure doses to all parts of the body were well within permissible limits. Nothing conclusive, however, can be said about the stochastic effects (chance effects like cancers). Any amount of radiation taken is bound to pose an additional occupational hazard. It is thus desirable that radiation safety precautions should be taken and exposures regularly monitored with at least one dosimeter for monitoring the wholebody dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swine influenza (SI) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes pandemics. SI viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with SI do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented. Swine influenza also called as swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu that refers to influenza is caused by those strains of influenza virus, called SI virus (SIV), that usually infect pigs endemically. As of 2009, these strains are all found in influenza C virus and subtypes of influenza A virus known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. The viruses are 80-120 nm in diameter. The transmission of SIV from pigs to humans is not common and does not always cause human influenza, often only resulting in the production of antibodies in the blood. The meat of the animal poses no risk of transmitting the virus when properly cooked. If the transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People who work with pigs, especially people with intense exposures, are at an increased risk of catching swine flu. In the mid-20th century, the identification of influenza subtypes became possible; this allowed accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, 50 confirmed transmissions have been recorded; rarely these strains of swine flu can pass from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness, namely, chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness, and general discomfort. Influenza A is a single-stranded RNA virus with eight different segments. When two viruses co-infect the same cell, new viruses can be produced that contain segments from both parental strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis A new abrasion tool (US patent US7087063 B2) has been developed for collecting skin epidermal samples. This device includes a central shaft that holds the probe in a split chuck. Of the variety of probe designs tested, the laser-cut hollow tube (HT) probe abraded the basal layer of the epidermis most consistently, resulting in representative epidermal skin samples. Compared with traditional clinical methods, the abrasion method allows for high-throughput epidermal skin collection with minimal invasiveness to the volunteer subjects. A large number of abrasion samples have been collected in various clinical studies with no adverse effects observed. Epidermal abrasion, when used appropriately and with the optimized probes, can yield high quality tissue samples that are representative of the epidermis. A sufficient quantity of RNA and protein can be obtained for many subsequent molecular and biochemical applications. Because of its minimal invasiveness and high-throughput nature, the abrasion method can be a valuable tool used to investigate the efficacy of topical applications of skin care products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer of different molecular subtypes has different biological behaviour, patterns of failure, and outcome. The aim of the present study is to compare and contrast triple-negative breast cancer with triple-positive breast cancer. Methods: Clinicopathological data from 60 breast cancer patients who received post-operative adjuvant radiation therapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Christian Medical College & Hospital from 2000 to 2012 and in whom immunohistochemistry for oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 receptor status was available were identified. ER, PR, and HER2 expression determined by immunohistochemistry were used to construct the following subtypes: ER+or PR+and HER2+, ER-, PR-, and HER2-. The clinical characteristics, pathological features, natural history, and recurrence pattern of 30 patients with triple-negative breast cancer was compared with 30 patients with triple-positive disease. Actuarial rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariate analysis (MVA). Findings: Of the 60 patients, 60% were aged ≼50years in both the molecular subtypes. The median age at presentation was 50years. Triple-negative disease affected premenopausal women slightly more than women with post-menopausal status, by contrast, in the triple-positive molecular subtype, of whom 53% were post-menopausal. Most of the tumours involved the upper outer quadrant (43% versus 46%). Women presenting with T3 and T4 tumours accounted for 46% versus 66% of triple-positive and triple-negative patients, respectively. Axillary node positivity was noted in approximately 80% of patients in both groups. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was offered to eight patients (26%) with triple-positive disease as opposed to 13 patients (43%) with triple-negative disease. All patients with the triple-positive subtype received hormonal therapy and only three patients received treatment with trastuzumab. Patients with metastatic disease at presentation were similar in both subtypes. None of the patients with the triple-positive molecular subtype presented with local recurrence while four patients in the triple negative subtype presented with it. On follow-up, metastatic disease was seen in four patients (13%) with the triple-positive subtype by contrast with 12 patients (40%) with triple-negative disease. Disease-free survival ranged from 7 to 48months versus 11 to 40months in both subtypes, respectively. Interpretation: Patients with triple-positive breast cancer fair better than those with triple-negative disease. Our study suggests that patients with triple-negative breast cancer may benefit from novel strategies to improve locoregional control and distant metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]