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Abstract Application of cloning technology on a wide scale is severely limited by the very low live birth rate obtained with cloned embryos. Embryo quality is an important factor which affects the conception and live birth rate of cloned embryos. microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been implicated in the regulation of apoptosis and the expression level of several important genes which control apoptosis. We examined the effects of treatment of reconstructed buffalo embryos, produced by Hand-made cloning, with miR-21 mimic on developmental competence, quality and gene expression of cloned embryos. Expression level of miR-21, which increased from 2-cell to 8-cell stage and then decreased at the blastocyst stage, showed a similar pattern in cloned and IVF embryos. It was lower in cloned than in IVF embryos at 2-, 4- and 8-cell (P < 0.001) and blastocyst (P < 0.05) stages but not at morula stage. Treatment of reconstructed embryos with miR-21 mimic for 1 h after 1 h of electrofusion, increased (P < 0.05) the total cell number (251.3 ± 10.7 vs 181.5 ± 2.13). Blastocysts produced from miR-21-treated reconstructed embryos had lower (P < 0.05) apoptotic index than controls and IVF blastocysts (2.01 ± 0.17, 5.46 ± 0.26 and 4.19 ± 0.15, respectively). The treatment also improved the inner cell mass:trophectoderm cell number ratio of blastocysts than in controls (0.21 ± 0.01 vs 0.11 ± 0.003) to values observed in IVF blastocysts (0.20 ± 0.008). However, miR-21 mimic treatment did not affect the blastocyst rate, which was similar for treatment, control and negative control groups (36.58 ± 3.64, 36.58 ± 3.64 and 32.2 ± 2.86%, respectively). miR-21 mimic treatment increased (P < 0.01) the expression level of apoptosis- (BCL2 and PTEN), pluripotency- (OCT4 and SOX2) and development-related genes (GLUT1 , FGF4 and P53), but not that of CASPASE3 than in untreated controls in blastocysts. These results suggest that treatment of reconstructed embryos with miR-21 mimic improves blastocyst quality, reduces apoptosis and alters gene expression without improving the blastocyst rate. Highlights • miR-21 expression pattern is similar in cloned and IVF embryos during development. • Cloned embryos have lower miR-21 expression level than IVF counterparts. • Overexpression of miR-21 improves blastocyst quality and reduces apoptosis. • It alters gene expression but not the blastocyst rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation protection is the core of radiography to provide optimal patient safety and to control radiation hazard. In this study, we aim to determine the knowledge of radiation protection among dental students in a medical college, Nepal Bachelor's degree dental final year students studying at Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center (GMCTHRC), Pokhara, Nepal were included in this study. A questionnaire survey tool was developed by consulting with two lecturers of medical imaging technology having more than 10 years of experience. 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were handed to each participant. Each correct answer was given "1" score and each incorrect answer was given "0" score. There were no negative markings. The knowledge score was categorized as <60 % inadequate, 60–80 % adequate and 80–100% excellent. Data were coded and analyzed in IBM SPSS statistics, version 28, Chicago, United States. The normality of the data was checked by using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The equality of variance was assessed by Levene's test. The p-value was set at 5% level of significance. Two sample t-test was applied since the data followed normal distribution. Total of 16 dental students, 5 male and 11 female, 22.06±0.77 mean age, 20-23 age range were included in this study. Participants did not have prior training on radiation protection. The mean knowledge of radiation protection was 52.5%, 5.25±1.52, maximum 8 and minimum 3 which was inadequate. There was statistically significant difference of knowledge according to gender, p =0.01, t (14)=2.92. The mean response was 60% (adequate) for 21 years of participants and was inadequate at other ages. The knowledge of radiation protection should be improved among dental students. Adequate course materials and trainings should be included in their study. Radiation protection national laws should be implemented as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender determination is a crucial task in forensic medical sciences. Estimating gender is essential to reveal the identity of an unknown individual. In this study, we aim to determine gender by using an anteroposterior (AP) pelvis radiograph. Patients referred for AP pelvis radiograph at the Department of Radiology & Imaging, National Trauma Center, Kathmandu, Nepal from November 2020 to January 2021 were included in this study. Four pelvic factors were measured: transverse diameter of the pelvic brim, subpubic angle, length of the pubic symphysis, and ischiopubic index. Data were measured in ImageJ software, 1.51t version, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 27. The normality of the data was checked using the Shapiro-Wilk test. P-value was set at a 5% level of significance. Two sample t-test was carried out to determine the statistical value. Binary logistic regression (BLR) was conducted to estimate gender from the measured data. A total of 197 patients, 134 male (68%), and 63 female (32%), with an age range of 16 to 60 years were included in this study. There was a statistically significant difference in transverse diameter, subpubic angle, length of the symphysis pubis, and ischiopubic index at p<0.05. Multi-variate BLR model of four sets of predictors was statistically significant, χ2(4) =200.09, p <0.05. The model explained 89.3% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in gender and the accuracy of the model was 96.4%. The subpubic angle provided the highest accuracy of 90.9% in single variable BLR prediction. Gender could be estimated with higher accuracy using a pelvis AP radiograph. Subpubic angle could be used as a better predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a global health crisis for every health professional including radiographers. Adequate knowledge, a good attitude, and safe practice are very important in the present scenario. In this present study, we aim to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of COVID-19 among radiographers in the kingdom of Himalayas, Nepal. An electronic questionnaire survey consisting of 15 questions, 5 questions for each knowledge, attitude, and practice including socio-demographic variables (gender, age, academic qualification, work experience, workplace, and work province) was conducted from January 5 to February 15, 2021. A score of 1 was given for each correct answer and a score of 0 was given for each incorrect answer. The score 0-60% was considered inadequate and above 60% was considered adequate. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27 (IBM Chicago, United States). A non-parametric test was used since the data did not follow a normal distribution. The p-value was set at a 5% level of significance. Total 390 radiographers, 262 male, and 128 females, mean age 27.17±5.64 years, range 20 to 50 were included in this study. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice were 4.46±0.54, 89.20%, 3.94±0.96, 78.80%, and 4.40±0.77, 88.00% respectively. There was not a statistically significant difference in knowledge and practice according to socio-demographic variables. However, there was a statistically significant difference in attitude according to gender and work province but was not statistically significant by age group, academic qualification, work experience, and workplace. The radiographers in Nepal had adequate knowledge, a good attitude, and safe practice during the COVID-19 crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We aimed to ascertain whether there are any early differences in outcome between all titanium temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses in patients allergic to metal and standard cobalt–chromium prostheses in patients not allergic to metal. All patients who had primary TMJ prostheses placed with one-year follow-up between March 2003 and February 2011 were included. We reviewed the basic characteristics of patients. The outcome variables measured included disease, pain, mouth opening, and diet. A total of 55 patients with 77 joint replacements fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Forty patients had standard cobalt–chromium alloy (Co–Cr–Mo) prostheses (20 unilateral and 20 bilateral), and 15 had all titanium prostheses (13 unilateral and 2 bilateral). Osteoarthritis was the most common disease in both groups. There was significant improvement in pain score at reviews at 6 weeks (p =0.001) and 12 months (p =0.03). Values between groups were not significant (p =0.48 at 6 weeks, and p =0.10 at 1 year). Mouth opening in each group improved significantly with continued gains between assessments at 6 weeks and 12 months (p =0.001) but there were no significant differences between groups. Diet scores were significantly improved one year postoperatively in both groups (p =0.001), but differences between groups were not significant (p =0.90). At one year, outcomes for all titanium prostheses in patients allergic to metal were similarly favourable to those in patients who had no hypersensitivity to metal and had standard prostheses. No patient developed a hypersensitivity reaction, and no all titanium prosthesis failed during the one-year follow-up period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Continued advancement in telecommunication and computing power has accelerated the use of wireless sensors in monitoring of a wide range of manufacturing systems and processes. In most scenarios wireless sensors sample and transmit measured data continuously at a fixed sampling rate. This is a suboptimal method of operation from the perspectives of data and power management. Continuous sampling and transmission limits the service life of the wireless sensors and sensor networks because of the limited energy storage capacity of the power source. Furthermore, high rate sampling of process related signals that only exhibit high frequency characteristics for short durations interspersed with long durations of low frequency content leads to data redundancy and processing overheads. To address these limitations this paper presents an adaptive sensing technique consisting of a novel adaptive sampling algorithm that dynamically adjusts the data sampling rate to reduce data redundancy and improve energy efficiency. Experimental evaluation of this technique on data microprocessor based wireless sensor node confirms the validity of this adaptive and reconfigurable sensing method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new method is proposed for determining the contact pressure distribution (CPD) between the tool and the workpiece in sheet metal forming processes. Contact pressure is measured at discrete points at the tool–workpiece interface by sensors that are structurally embedded beneath the tooling surface. An analytical framework is developed for determining the pressure values between the sensing points through the construction of continuous CPD maps. This is achieved using the Thin Plate Spline (TPS) surface generation method, which creates temporal snapshots of the CPD during a forming process. The effectiveness of this technique is illustrated for a panel stamping operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]